Cyclone Fina May Break Australia's Earliest Landfall Record

Tropical cyclone Fina is currently situated north-east of Darwin and is forecast to intensify before potentially making landfall on the Northern Territory coast by Friday or Saturday. This event carries the possibility of equaling the record for the earliest cyclone landfall in Australia, a record previously set in 1973. The Northern Territory could experience its earliest cyclone landfall on record.

While the official cyclone season began on November 1, landfalls are typically not expected until mid to late December. Fina's current track suggests Darwin may be impacted. Experts highlight that climate change is a significant factor, leading to more intense and rapidly developing tropical cyclones globally, with a higher proportion expected to reach severe categories.

Sea surface temperatures in the Timor Sea are above average, providing favorable conditions for cyclone formation. Although Fina is currently small, this characteristic can lead to rapid intensification and spin-up, potentially catching communities by surprise. This situation underscores the evolving patterns of severe weather events influenced by a changing climate.