Tropical Cyclone Horacio: Earth’s first Category 5 tropical cyclone of 2026
Yale Climate Connections • • world
Key Points:
- Tropical Cyclone Horacio became the first Category 5 tropical cyclone of 2026 on February 23, with peak winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) in the South Indian Ocean.
- Horacio intensified due to favorable conditions including sea surface temperatures of 27-28°C (81-82°F) and moderate wind shear.
- The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts Horacio will weaken as it moves southward into cooler waters and higher wind shear.
- Horacio poses no threat to land and is primarily a concern for marine interests.
- This is the first Category 5 cyclone in the Southern Hemisphere since Cyclone Errol in April 2025, with climate change expected to increase the frequency of such
