Three tropical cyclones—Rae, Seru, and Alfred—are active in the South Pacific, a rare but not unprecedented event.

The cyclones formed over five days across a stretch from Australia's eastern coast to 8,000 kilometres into the Pacific.

The last time three cyclones were active simultaneously in the region was in January 2021 with Lucas, Ana, and Bina, according to atmospheric science professor Brian Tang.

Alfred, which formed on Monday, has intensified into a category three storm, producing wind gusts of 185km/h in the Coral Sea.

It remains unclear if it will make landfall in northern Queensland. Authorities continue to monitor its path.

Rae developed on Friday north of Fiji, bringing strong winds and heavy rain, which damaged fruit trees, according to local reports.

Seru became a cyclone on Tuesday and is tracking near Vanuatu, though it is expected to remain offshore.

The climate crisis has added heat to ocean waters, fuelling stronger storms.

Climate scientist Gabriel Vecchi pointed to a Madden-Julian Oscillation, a fluctuation in atmospheric conditions that produces a moving pattern of rising air and rainfall.

This phenomenon may be influencing cyclone activity in the region.

"The atmosphere is chaotic," Mr Vecchi said.

"There's a lot of natural fluctuation in it … we need to be open to the possibility that factors beyond our ability to predict might have led to these three cyclones at the same time."

While global warming does not necessarily increase the number of cyclones, it is leading to more frequent and intense high-category storms.

Some studies suggest storms are also moving more slowly over land, increasing their potential for destruction.

Tropical cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons are essentially the same weather events, with different names based on their location.

Cyclones form in the South Pacific, while hurricanes occur in the North Atlantic.

The presence of three cyclones at once is unusual given the current La Niña phase, which typically cools ocean temperatures and limits cyclone activity.

Scientists had predicted fewer than average tropical cyclones this season.

Authorities continue to track the storms as the cyclone season reaches its peak.