Tracking Tropical Cyclone Jude: Impacts and Characteristics

Tropical Cyclone Jude has formed in the Mozambique Channel with winds reaching 63 mph. Flash floods may occur, and cyclone activity runs from late October to May in the Southern Hemisphere, peaking in February and March.

Tropical Cyclone Jude emerged in the Mozambique Channel on Sunday morning, Central Africa Time, as reported by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. At the time of its formation, Jude recorded sustained wind speeds of 63 miles per hour, signaling a potentially serious weather event.

Heavy rainfall is expected, with flash flooding being a risk even far from the storm’s center. Notably, even less severe tropical cyclones can result in excessive rainfall, leading to flooding in low-lying areas.

In the Southern Hemisphere, only about a quarter of the Earth’s tropical cyclones develop. Those with sustained winds exceeding 74 miles per hour are classified as hurricanes in the Atlantic but are referred to as cyclones in this region. Cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere rotate clockwise, in contrast to counterclockwise spinning hurricanes.

Tropical cyclones can impact eastern Africa, especially Madagascar, as well as various coastal regions of Australia and nearby islands. The cyclone season in this hemisphere operates differently, starting in late October and extending through May, with the peak activity often occurring in late February and early March.

In summary, Tropical Cyclone Jude is a significant weather phenomenon forming in the Mozambique Channel, with wind speeds of 63 miles per hour. The cyclone poses risks of heavy rainfall and flooding, particularly in low-lying areas. Understanding the unique characteristics of cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere is crucial, given their clockwise rotation and different seasonal patterns compared to hurricanes in the Atlantic.

Original Source: www.nytimes.com