Freddy’s fury: WMO confirms cyclone Freddy’s record 36-day lifespan

Sub: Geography

Sec: Climatology

Cyclone Freddy: Record-Breaking Tropical Cyclone:

Longest-lived tropical cyclone on record (Surpassed hurricane John), lasting 36 days.
It is the second longest-travelled tropical cyclone on record.
- The longest distance travelled by a tropical cyclone was 13,159 km by Hurricane John in the North Pacific Ocean in 1994.
Additional Records:
- Rapid intensification seven times (highest on record).
- Accumulated cyclone energy equalling an entire North Atlantic hurricane season.
Regions Affected: Southeast Africa (Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi).
Impact: Fierce winds, intense rainfall, destructive storm surges.
Path and Landfall:

Formation: Off the northwestern coast of Australia on February 4, 2023.
Landfall: First hit Madagascar on February 21, 2023.
Dissipation: Over Malawi on March 14, 2023.
Distance Travelled: Second longest on record, 12,785 km.
Energy Source: Warm sea surface waters and subsurface seawater.
Forecasting Challenges: Rapid intensification complicated weather models and early warnings.

Impact and Damage

Financial Cost: $481 million in damages.
Displacement: 1.4 million people across six African countries.
- Malawi: 659,000 displaced, highest since 2009.

Importance of Early Warnings

Early Warning Systems: Helped mitigate higher death tolls through timely alerts and evacuations.
UN Initiative: Emphasized the importance of early warnings for all to tackle extreme weather and climate change risks.

Source: DTE