Tropical Cyclone Darian has become the first cyclone of the season to form inside Australia’s area of responsibility.

Darian formed about 440 km west of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands on Sunday and is now moving towards the southeast.

While sea surface temperatures in the region are only just warm enough to support tropical cyclone development, favourable atmospheric conditions should allow it to gain strength in the next 24 hours.

Darian is not expected to make landfall in any Australian state or territory. However, gale force winds may still affect the Cocos (Keeling) Islands from Tuesday.

Most forecast models suggest Darian will move away from the Cocos Islands later this week and track outside Australia’s area of responsibility.

Darian is the first tropical cyclone to be named inside the Australia’s area of responsibility since the 2022/23 tropical cyclone season. While there was another unnamed tropical cyclone in a similar region near the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in July, it developed before the official start of the tropical cyclone season in November.

Australia tropical cyclone season runs from November until April and the next cyclone that forms in our region will be named Ellie.