Tropical Cyclone Fina reached Category 3 strength on Saturday, November 22, 2025, as it neared its closest approach to Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory. The system is forecast to bring destructive winds and a threat of flash flooding across parts of northern Australia, and could potentially reach Category 4 strength by Monday, November 24.
Tropical Cyclone Fina formed over the Timor Sea on November 19, 2025, becoming the first named storm of the 2025–26 Australian region cyclone season. This marks the earliest start to the Australian cyclone season in 12 years.
Australia could see its earliest start of the tropical cyclone season in over a decade, with tropical low 02U being expected to intensify into a Category 2 tropical cyclone this week.
The South Australian Museum is investigating reports of a meteorite striking a Tesla Model Y north of Port Germein, South Australia, on October 19, 2025, in what may be the first confirmed meteorite impact on a moving vehicle worldwide.
Australian scientists aboard RSV Nuyina reported unusual elephant seal deaths on sub-Antarctic Heard Island, showing signs consistent with H5 avian influenza. If confirmed, it would be the first recorded H5 detection in an Australian sub-Antarctic territory.
A smoldering carbon-composite object discovered near Newman, Western Australia, on October 18, 2025, is believed to be part of a Chinese Jielong 3 rocket that re-entered Earth’s atmosphere.
A bushfire ignited between Enoggera Reservoir and Camp Mountain, north of Brisbane, Queensland, on October 3, 2025, as record heat triggered over 100 fires statewide. An emergency declaration was issued as temperatures soared across the state. Total fire bans are in effect at least 26 local government areas.
A rare stratospheric warming event is disrupting the Antarctic polar vortex in September 2025, with forecasts suggesting wetter southern Australia, drier eastern Australia, and a higher chance of abnormally hot days.
The world’s worst honey bee parasite, the Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite, was detected in South Australia for the first time, authorities confirmed on September 3, 2025. The detection occurred in a managed hive from a Queensland consignment located near Pooginook in the Riverland region.
Heavy snowfall affected southeastern Australia on August 29 and 30, 2025, with 82 cm (32 inches) measured at Mount Buller, Victoria, and 40 cm (16 inches) in New South Wales resorts. Strong winds up to 130 km/h (81 mph) caused damage and power outages. The blizzard also hampered the search of double murder accused in Porepunkah, Victoria.
