Australia faces busy cyclone season with nine cyclones

Australia may experience its busiest cyclone season in 19 years. Since December, there have been nine tropical cyclones, and another one could form this week. A weather system coming from the north is bringing heavy rain to northern Australia in the next couple of weeks. Recently, Townsville had its heaviest rainfall since January 1998, receiving 301 millimeters in just one day. The Northern Territory and Western Australia's Kimberley regions are also expected to see increased rainfall as the monsoon trough returns. This active weather pattern could mean more rain than usual this wet season, making it one of the most active cyclone seasons in recent years. The monsoon trough, which helps create tropical cyclones, is affecting areas around Australia's north and is linked to an upcoming tropical weather system off Western Australia. Currently, a tropical low is developing south of the Cocos Islands. While it does not threaten the mainland, another low is expected to form near WA by Friday. This system is over 500 kilometers offshore but may move closer to the coast, where the warm ocean waters could help it develop into a cyclone. The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed nine cyclones this season, just two short of the long-term average. This includes five cyclones in February, the highest number since January 2011. If the new system develops into a cyclone, it will be named Courtney or Dianne, depending on the other weather systems. Flooding rains have already affected parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory, with some areas receiving over 500mm of rain last week. The Bohle River experienced major flooding, and further rain is expected to spread across northern Australia, with many areas likely receiving more than 100mm. The heavy rainfall pattern is expected to persist, with forecasts indicating similar conditions into early April. The Bureau of Meteorology anticipates that rainfall will remain above average for northern Australia, which could lead to an increase in cyclone activity. If three more storms develop, it would mark the busiest cyclone season since 2006.