Tropical Cyclone Uesi Develops Rapidly over Coral Sea

Tropical Cyclone Uesi developed rapidly over the Coral Sea on Sunday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Uesi was located at latitude 16.6°S and longitude 163.6°E which put it about 230 miles (370 km) north of New Caledonia. Ueusi was moving toward the south at 7 m.p.h, (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Uesi organized quickly on Sunday.  The inner end of a band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the western side of the center of circulation.  More thunderstorms formed in other rainbands.  The strongest bands were in the eastern and southern parts of the circulation.  Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Uesi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours.  Uesi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will produce northerly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will mot be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Uesi is likely to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 12 to 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Uesi will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Uesi toward the south during the next several days.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Uesi could approach the northern end of New Caledonia in about 48 hours.  Uesi will likely be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it nears New Caledonia.