Cyclone Jude was the third cyclone to hit Mozambique this season, first identified as a depression last Friday to the south-west of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. It intensified into a moderate tropical storm over the next few days, impacting Northern Madagascar on Saturday and resulting in at least one death.
As Jude progressed westward over the Mozambique Channel, sea surface temperatures of approximately 30°C facilitated its growth into a tropical cyclone. Early on Monday morning, Mozambique experienced sustained wind gusts of 75mph (120km/h) and gusts reaching up to 120mph, equivalent to a category 1 hurricane. The coastal districts of Memba, Monapo, Mossuril, Mozambique Island, and Nacala witnessed over 200mm of rain within 24 hours, resulting in significant flooding. Flights were grounded and 40,000 individuals were left without power. So far, six fatalities have been associated with Jude and 900 homes have been destroyed.
Although Jude has weakened, it is expected to curve back over the Mozambique Channel and move eastwards towards southern Madagascar later in the week. Some models predict that Jude could regain its tropical cyclone status by the time it reaches Madagascar’s shores on Friday night, potentially causing further destruction.
South Africa faced heavy thunderstorms on Thursday, with KwaZulu-Natal province on a level 6 alert for heavy rain and flooding. A cold front introduced the conditions necessary for storms to form. Approximately 100mm of rain was recorded within a 24-hour period, and thunderstorms are expected to continue on Friday, albeit with decreased intensity.
Meanwhile, Perth in Western Australia experienced a severe thunderstorm on Thursday, with wind gusts of up to 70mph (113km/h) reported. Power lines were downed, and thousands were left without power. Culford weather station recorded 41.2mm of rain within three hours, while Barberton East and Maxon Farm stations received 30.8mm and 30.4mm of rainfall within 30 minutes, respectively, leading to localized flooding.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/14/weather-tracker-cyclone-jude-causes-chaos-mozambique
