Tropical Cyclone Fantala intensified into the the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon as it headed slowed west across the South Indian Ocean on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fantala was located at latitude 12.8°S and longitude 68.5°E which put it about 465 miles (755 km) south-southwest of Diego Garcia.  Fantala was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 975 mb.

The core of Tropical Cyclone Fantala continued to get better organized on Tuesday.  The primary rainband wrapped entirely around the center of circulation and a small eye appeared intermittently on some satellite imagery.  Thunderstorms around the center of circulation began to produce more upper level divergence and high clouds could be seen fanning out in all directions.  The upper level divergence pumped out mass and allowed the surface pressure to decrease.

Fantala is a small tropical cyclone.  Tropical storm force winds only extend about 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.  The Hurricane Size Index for Tropical Cyclone Fantala is only 8.1.

Tropical Cyclone Fantala is in an environment that appears to be mostly favorable for intensification.  It is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The upper level winds are light and there is not much vertical wind shear.  The only possible negative factor is the presence of some drier air around the periphery of the circulation.  Tropical Cyclone Fantala is likely to intensify further and its small size could allow it to intensify rapidly at times.  Tropical Cyclone Fantala could become the equivalent of a major hurricane later this week.

A subtropical ridge located south of Fantala is steering the tropical cyclone toward the west and that general motion is expected to continue for the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Fantala could pass north of La Reunion in a few days.  Fantala could be northeast of Madagascar in four or five days.