A rare weather event occurred in the South Pacific Ocean on February 25, 2025, as three tropical cyclones—Alfred, Rae, and Seru—formed at the same time. This is the first time in four years that three named cyclones have been active simultaneously in this region. The last occurrence was in early 2021, when cyclones Bina, Ana, and Lucas reached wind speeds of at least 50 mph.

The South Pacific tropical cyclone season runs from November to April, peaking between January and March. While initial forecasts predicted a near-to-below-average season due to La Niña, the formation of three simultaneous storms has been unexpected.

Tropical cyclones, which are called hurricanes in the Atlantic and typhoons in the Western Pacific, develop over warm ocean waters. Satellite images captured the three storms churning east of Australia, highlighting the unusual burst of activity.

The South Pacific isn’t the only region experiencing increased storm activity. In October, the Atlantic Ocean saw three simultaneous storms—Hurricanes Kirk and Leslie, along with Tropical Storm Milton, which later intensified into a deadly Category 5 hurricane.