'Tis the season

Captain Kjell consistently delivers daily updates at noon, demonstrating thorough research and consistently sharing intriguing information. Yesterday, he discussed the local cyclone, Tropical Cyclone Megan, which intensified into a Category 3 cyclone, causing heavy rainfall along the Northern Territory coast of Australia. Encouragingly, the cyclone is tracking southward (red arrow) as we travel westward, positioned just south of East Timor (red circle).

Tropical cyclones in the South Pacific are intense circular storms originating over warm oceans, characterized by low pressure, high winds exceeding 75 mph, heavy rain, and storm surges. These storms pose a serious hazard to coastal areas in tropical regions and are known by different names such as hurricanes, typhoons, or cyclones depending on the location. Cyclones have distinct features like an eye with clear skies and low pressure at the center, surrounded by an eyewall where winds are strongest and rainfall heaviest.

We are familiar with the hurricane season affecting the eastern coast of the USA. As illustrated above, we are currently in a period highly susceptible to cyclones in this region. This is not our first encounter with these waters during a season known for producing hazardous weather conditions that may necessitate adjustments to travel plans. Last January, we had to forgo visiting some of the South Pacific islands due to a cyclone. Fortunately for us, it won't have a negative impact on our journey this time as we head to a part of the world we've never seen before!