Tag Archives: Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone Phethai Forms Over Southwest Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Phethai formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal on Saturday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Phethai was located at latitude 11.1°N and longitude 84.5°E which put it about 480 miles (775 km) south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, India.  Phethai was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

More thunderstorms developed closer to the center of a low pressure system over the southwestern Bay of Bengal and the Indian Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Phethai.  The distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical.  Most of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring northwest of the center of circulation.  There were fewer thunderstorms southeast of the center, although several bands of thunderstorms were developing on the eastern periphery of the circulation.  Storms northwest of the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the north of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Phethai will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification.  Phethai will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  It will move around the eastern end of an upper level ridge over southeast Asia.  The ridge is already producing southeasterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear and the shear is the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  The wind shear will continue and it will inhibit the intensification of Tropical Cyclone Phethai.  Phethai could strengthen during the next 24 to 36 hours, but the rate of intensification is likely to be slow.

The ridge over southeast Asia will steer Tropical Cyclone Phethai north-northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Phethai will move toward the east coast of India.  Tropical Cyclone Phethai could approach the coast near Visakhaptnam in about 48 hours.  Phethai will bring gusty winds but heavy rain and flooding will be greater risks.

Elsewhere, Tropical Cyclone 06S formed over the South Indian Ocean on Saturday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone 06S was located at latitude 9.1°S and longitude 91.2°E which put it about 1285 miles (2070 km) east of Diego Garcia.  It was moving toward the south-southeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gaja Moves Closer to Southern India

Tropical Cyclone Gaja moved closer to southern India and strengthened on Wednesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gaja was located at latitude 11.7°N and longitude 83.6°E which put it about 260 miles (420 km) east of Cuddalore, India.  Gaja was moving toward the southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gaja strengthened on Wednesday.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of circulation.  Some microwave images exhibited the appearance of an eyelike feature in the lower levels.  The inner end of a rainband appeared to be wrapping around the center of Gaja.  There were several bands of stronger thunderstorms in the western half of Tropical Cyclone Gaja.  Rainbands in the eastern half of the tropical cyclone consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  The storms around the center of circulation were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the northeast of Gaja.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Gaja was relatively small.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out about 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gaja will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gaja will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move southwest of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce southeasterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will restrict upper level divergence to the southeast of Gaja.  They will also cause moderate vertical wind shear, which is probably the reason why most of the stronger thunderstorms are occurring in the western half of the circulation.  The wind shear will slow intensification, but Tropical Cyclone Gaja will strengthen during the next 24 hours.  Gaja could intensify to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Gaja will move south of a ridge in the middle troposphere during the next 48 hours.  The ridge will steer Gaja on a track that is a little south of straight westward.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gaja will approach the coast of southern India in about 24 hours.  Gaja will make landfall in Tamil Nadu between Cuddalore and Nagappattinam in a little over a day.  It could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it makes landfall.  Gaja will bring strong winds and it could cause a storm surge of 5 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.5 metres) at the coast.  Tropical Cyclone Gaja will drop locally heavy rain over portions of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Alcide Rapidly Intensifies Into Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Alcide rapidly intensified into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon east of northern Madagascar on Wednesday.  At 10:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Alcide was located at latitude 10.6°S and longitude 55.7°W which put it about 675 miles (975 km) north of Port Louis, Mauritius.  Alcide was moving toward the west-southwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Alcide organized rapidly during the past 24 hours.  An eye formed at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Alcide.  Storm near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Alcide is relatively small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extend out about 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 80 miles (130 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Alcide will move through an environment capable of supporting further intensification during the next 48 hours.  Alcide will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  It will move near the western end of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Alcide could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next day or two.

The upper level ridge will steer Tropical Cyclone Alcide in a west-southwesterly direction.  On its anticipated track Alcide would stay north of Mauritius and La Reunion.  Tropical Cyclone Alcide could be east of northern Madagascar in a few days.

Tropical Cyclone Alcide Forms North of Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Alcide formed north of Mauritius on Tuesday.  At 10:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Alcide was located at latitude 9.7°S and longitude 58.9°E which put it about 740 miles (1190 km) north of Port Louis, Mauritius.  Alcide was moving toward the west-southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

A distinct center of circulation consolidated in an area of thunderstorms over the South Indian Ocean and the system was designated as Tropical Cyclone Alcide.  The circulation around Alcide was slowly becoming better organized.  The inner end of a band of thunderstorms was wrapping around the western side of the center of circulation.  Several other bands were developing south and west of the center.  Bands north and east of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of circulation were starting to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the core of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Alcide will move through an environment that will support intensification.  Alcide will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27.5°C.  It will move around the northwestern side of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear which will slow the rate of intensification, but the winds are not likely to be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Alcide could strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 48 to 72 hours.

The upper level ridge will steer Tropical Cyclone Alcide slowly toward the west-southwest during the next two or three days.  On its anticipated track Alcide could be northeast of Madagascar in a few days.  It could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon at that time.

Tropical Cyclone Luban Forms Over Arabian Sea

Tropical Cyclone Luban formed over the Arabian Sea on Monday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Luban was located at latitude 12.3°N and longitude 61.4°E which put it about 580 miles (935 km) east-southeast of Salalah, Oman.  Luban was moving toward the west-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 993 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Luban was still organizing.  The distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands west of the center of circulation.  Rainbands in the eastern half of Tropical Cyclone Luban consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  An upper level trough centered over northern India was producing easterly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and they were probably the reason why the stronger thunderstorms were forming on the western side of the circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Luban will move through a region that is somewhat favorable for intensification.  It will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  The upper level ridge will continue to cause some vertical wind shear, but the winds are expected to weaken during the next day or two.  Tropical Cyclone Luban is forecast to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Luban is between the upper level ridge over India and another upper level ridge over Saudi Arabia.  As a result the steering winds are weak and Luban is moving slowly toward the west-northwest.  When Tropical Cyclone Luban moves farther west, the upper ridge over Saudi Arabia will steer it in a west-northwesterly direction.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Luban could approach western Oman and eastern Yemen in four or five days.

Tropical Cyclone Ernie Very Rapidly Intensifies Into Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Ernie intensified very rapidly into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the past few hours.  Ernie strengthened from a tropical low to the equivalent of a major hurricane in one day which is an extremely rapid rate of intensification.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ernie was located at latitude 15.5°S and longitude 110.2°E which put it about 485 miles (780 km) north-northwest of Exmouth, Australia.  Ernie was moving toward the south at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (290 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 936 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Ernie is a very small well organized storm.  It has a small eye surrounded by a ring of very strong thunderstorms.  The strongest winds are occurring in the ring of storms around the eye.  Additional bands of thunderstorms are revolving around the core of Ernie.  The thunderstorms in the core of Tropical Cyclone Ernie are generating strong upper level divergence which is pumping out mass and caused the surface pressure to decrease very rapidly.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extend out about 18 miles (30 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 90 miles (150 km) from the center.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Ernie is 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 7.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 31.4.  Those indices indicate that Tropical Cyclone Ernie is capable of causing localized significant damage.

Tropical Cyclone Ernie is in an environment favorable for tropical cyclones.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge centered southeast of Ernie is producing northerly winds which are blowing toward the tropical cyclone but the vertical wind shear is currently having no effect on it.  Tropical Cyclone Ernie could intensify more during the next 12 hours.  Ernie will move into an area of cooler SSTs and stronger vertical winds in a day or so.  The less favorable environment will cause Tropical Cyclone Ernie to weaken.  Tropical Cyclone Ernie could weaken quickly because of its small size, if the vertical wind shear increases rapidly.

A subtropical ridge southeast of Ernie is steering the tropical cyclone slowly toward the south.  The ridge is forecast to strengthen and extend toward the west.  When the ridge strengthens it is likely to steer Tropical Storm Ernie more toward the west.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Ernie poses no current threat to land.

Tropical Cyclone Ernie Rapidly Intensifies Into the Equivalent of a Hurricane

The circulation of Tropical Cyclone Ernie rapidly intensified into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon late on Thursday.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ernie was located at latitude 14.9°S and longitude 110.5°E which put it about 540 miles (870 km) north-northwest of Exmouth, Australia.  Ernie was moving toward the south-southwest at 8 m.p.h. (12 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (140 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

An area of thunderstorms just west of the center of circulation quickly wrapped around the entire center.  A clear eye formed at the center of circulation.  Additional bands of storms formed and were revolving around the core of the circulation.  Thunderstorms around the eye were generating strong upper level divergence which pumped out mass and allowed the surface pressure to decrease quickly.  The circulation of Tropical Cyclone Ernie is small and winds to tropical storm force extend out only about 90 miles (150 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Ernie will remain in a very favorable environment for another 12 to 24 hours.  Ernie will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge southeast of Ernie is producing northerly winds near the tropical cyclone, but those winds are not creating significant wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Ernie could strengthen further during the next day or so.  In a day or two Ernie will move into an environment of lower SSTs and more vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Ernie will weaken at that time.

A subtropical ridge southeast of Ernie is steering the tropical cyclone slowly toward the south-southwest.  The ridge is forecast to strengthen and extend westward.  When the ridge extends toward the west it will also steer Tropical Cyclone Ernie more toward the west.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Ernie poses no current threat to land.