Earth’s first category 5 tropical cyclone of 2023 is Cyclone Freddy in the southern Indian Ocean. According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Freddy peaked with 165 mph winds at 0Z Feb. 16 (7 p.m. EST Feb. 15). The only February storm stronger than Freddy (by wind speed) was Tropical Cyclone Winston of 2016, which peaked with 180 mph winds near Fiji on Feb. 20, 2016. However, both the Joint Typhoon Warning Center and La Rèunion Tropical Cyclone Center predict that Freddy will remain a major category 3 or 4 storm during the next five days. Global category 5 tropical cyclones, 1990-2022, as rated by the National Hurricane Center and Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

Source: The Guardian February 17, 2023 01:08 UTC