According to the latest storm news from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), tropical storm 12S - formed from tropical depression 11U - is currently located about 278 km north of the Cocos Islands (Australia).
Winds maintained near the center at about 65 km/h, gusts up to 95 km/h, moving south - southeast at a speed of about 25 km/h.
In the past 6 hours, the storm has moved in a Southeast direction at a speed of about 24 km/h. The area near the storm center recorded maximum sea waves of about 5.8 m, bad weather in the nearby sea area.
This is the second storm to form in the Indian Ocean since the beginning of 2026, right after Typhoon Iggy weakened.
According to the weather forecast from JTWC, in the next 12 hours, storm 12S will continue to move in a South-Southeast direction under the impact of the edge of the near-equatorial high pressure in the northeast.
After that, the subtropical high pressure formed in the southeast will become the main controlling factor, causing the storm to change direction South-Southwest, gradually shifting to the West after about 2 days.
Typhoon strengthening is forecast to be slow in the next 24 hours thanks to more favorable upper-level conditions, but weakens into a low pressure area and gradually dissipates after about 4 days.
The Australian Meteorological Agency forecasts that it is likely to move closer to the east of the Cocos Islands today. Currently, the Cocos area is placed in a warning zone.
Notable weather risks include strong gusts of wind that may reach 100 km/h, especially if the storm's eye passes through or deviates westward over the archipelago.
Heavy rain is forecast to occur today, January 5, before gradually decreasing at night. Sea is rough, waves are strong, but the tide is likely not to exceed normal levels.
Tourists who are planning to travel or travel on sea routes in the Indian Ocean, especially around the Cocos Islands, need to closely monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings from local authorities.
Sea is rough, waves are high, and the weather changes rapidly, causing disadvantages for outdoor sightseeing, diving, yachts and boat trips.
If there is a flight or itinerary connecting through this area, tourists need to proactively update their itinerary, prepare contingency plans and contact the airline or travel company early to be supported when bad weather disrupts the plan.
