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Tropical Cyclone Batsirai Moves West Across South Indian Ocean

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Tropical Cyclone Batsirai moved westward across the South Indian Ocean on Friday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Batsirai was located at latitude 18.4°S and longitude 73.1°E which put it about 655 miles (1060 km) east of Rodrigues. Batsirai was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 994 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Batsirai weakened almost as fast during the past 24 hours as it had intensified previously. The tiny pinhole eye collapsed and the distribution of thunderstorms became asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western and southern parts of Batsirai’s circulation. Bands in the northeastern part of the tropical cyclone consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of Tropical Cyclone Batsirai. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of Batsirai.

Tropical Cyclone Batsirai will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Batsirai will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Batsirai is likely to intensify during the next 48 hours. It could strengthen back to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Batsirai will move north of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Batsirai toward the west during the next few days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Batsirai could be near Rodrigues within 72 hours. Batsirai could approach Mauritius in five days. Tropical Cyclone Batsirai could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it affects Rodrigues and Mauritius. Batsirai could also eventually affect La Reunion and Madagascar later next week.

Tropical Cyclone Batsirai Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

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Tropical Cyclone Batsirai rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean on Thursday morning. At 7:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Batsirai was located at latitude 17.9°S and longitude 79.7°E which put it about 1090 miles (1760 km) east-northeast of Rodrigues. Batsirai was moving toward the west-southwest at 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 968 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Batsirai rapidly intensified from a tropical storm to the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale after it developed over the South Indian Ocean on Wednesday night. A tiny pinhole eye with a diameter of 8 miles (13 km) quickly formed at the center of Batsirai’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. The strongest winds were occurring about 6 miles (10 km) from the center of circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Batsirai. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Batsirai was very small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Batsirai. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Batsirai was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 24.4.

Tropical Cyclone Batsirai will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Batsirai will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Batsirai could continue to intensify rapidly during the next few hours. However, if the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Batsirai to weaken. Since the circulation around Batsirai is very small, if the tropical cyclone moves into a less favorable environment, it could weaken rapidly.

Tropical Cyclone Batsirai will move north of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Batsirai toward the west during the next few days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Batsirai could approach Rodrigues, Mauritius, La Reunion and eventually Madagascar next week. Batsirai could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it approaches those places.

Tropical Cyclone Ana Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Mozambique

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Tropical Cyclone Ana brought wind and rain to northern Mozambique on Monday morning. At 7:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ana was located at latitude 16.4°S and longitude 38.6°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) west of Moma, Mozambique. Ana was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 992 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Ana made landfall on the coast of northern Mozambique between Angoche and Moma on Monday morning. Ana was the equivalent of a tropical storm at the time of landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the eastern side of Ana’s circulation. The strongest winds were occurring over the Mozambique Channel. The winds were weaker over land. Thunderstorms in bands in the western half of Tropical Cyclone Ana were dropping heavy rain over parts of northern Mozambique.

Tropical Cyclone Ana will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Ana toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Ana will move across northern Mozambique and southern Malawi. The center of Ana could pass near Mualama, Mucubela, and Mocuba. Tropical Cyclone Ana will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland. Ana will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to northern Mozambique, southern Malawi and northern Zimbabwe. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Weather conditions over the Mozambique Channel should improve slowly as Tropical Cyclone Ana moves farther inland.

Tropical Cyclone Ana Strengthens over Mozambique Channel

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Tropical Cyclone Ana strengthened over the Mozambique Channel on Sunday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ana was located at latitude 15.8°S and longitude 41.5°E which put it about 110 miles (175 km) east-northeast of Angoche, Mozambique. Ana was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 991 mb.

A former tropical depression strengthened to Tropical Cyclone Ana over the Mozambique Channel on Sunday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern side of the center of Ana’s circulation on Sunday evening. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and western parts of Ana. Bands in the southeastern part of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The air in that part of Tropical Cyclone Ana had passed over Madagascar and may have been sinking. Storms near the center of Ana generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Ana will move through an environment favorable for intensification for the next few hours. Ana will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the northwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Ana could get stronger before it reaches the coast of Mozambique on Monday.

Tropical Cyclone Ana will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Ana toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Ana could make landfall on the coast of Mozambique near Angoche in a few hours. Ana will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to northern Mozambique, southern Malawi and northern Zimbabwe. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Ana could cause a storms surge of up to six feet (2 meters) along the northern coast of Mozambique.

Tropical Depression Brings Rain to Madagascar

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A tropical depression, which is also designated as Invest 93S, brought rain to Madagascar on Saturday. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of the tropical depression was located at latitude 17.5°S and longitude 46.7°E which put it about 105 miles (165 km) northwest of Antananaviro, Madagascar. It was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

A low pressure system over northern Madagascar strengthened on Saturday and Meteo France La Reunion classified the system as tropical depression. The low pressure system was designated as Invest 93S by some other meteorological agencies. The center of the low pressure system was over Madagascar on Saturday afternoon. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of the tropical depression. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical depression. Some of the bands were dropping heavy rain over northern Madagascar and flash floods were possible.

The tropical depression is not likely to strengthen further during the next few hours while it is over Madagascar. The depression will move into an environment favorable for intensification on Sunday when it moves over the Mozambique Channel. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the northwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. The tropical depression could strengthen to the equivalent of a tropical storm after it moves over the Mozambique Channel.

The tropical depression will move around the northern side of a surface high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the tropical depression will move across northern Madagascar on Saturday night. The center of the depression will move over the Mozambique Channel on Sunday. The depression could approach the coast of Mozambique within 36 hours.

Possible Development East-Northeast of Hawaii

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The National Hurricane Center (NHC) indicated that a low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean east-northeast of Hawaii could develop into a subtropical or a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. The low pressure system is currently designated as Invest 90E. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Invest 90E was located at latitude 21.8°N and longitude 136.1°W which put it about 1280 miles (2065 km) east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii. It was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1006 mb.

The National Hurricane Center issued a Special Tropical Weather Outlook on Thursday afternoon which indicated that a low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean had a 40% probability of development into a subtropical or a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. The low pressure system has been moving slowly toward the west between Baja California and Hawaii. The low pressure system currently has a hybrid structure. A well organized low level center of circulation was evident on visible satellite images. The low level center was located just to the east of a low pressure system in the middle and upper troposphere. The upper low was producing southerly winds that were blowing toward the top of the low level circulation. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was affecting the structure of the system. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands north and east of the low level center of circulation. Bands south and west of the low level center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Invest 90E will move through an environment somewhat favorable for the formation of a subtropical or a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours. The surface center of circulation will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24˚C. Since the upper low contains colder air, that water temperature is warm enough to support the development of a subtropical or a tropical cyclone. The low in the middle and upper troposphere will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit the development of a tropical cyclone. The current hybrid structure of Invest 90E and the marginally warm Sea Surface Temperatures would favor the development of a subtropical cyclone. However, if the strength of the upper level winds decreases, then a tropical cyclone could form.

Invest 90E will move south of a surface high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the low level center of circulation toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Invest 90E will move slowly toward the Central Pacific Ocean.

Tropical Cyclone Forecast to Develop, Hit Northern Madagascar

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A tropical cyclone is forecast to develop over the South Indian Ocean and to hit northern Madagascar during the weekend. The system is currently a low pressure system designated as Invest 93S. At 7:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Invest 93S was located at latitude 14.9°S and longitude 59.0°E which put it about 435 miles (700 km) north-northeast of Mauritius. It was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (60 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

A low pressure system, currently designated as Invest 93S, over the South Indian Ocean north-northeast of Mauritius is forecast to move west toward northern Madagascar and to develop into a tropical cyclone during the next 72 hours. The distribution of thunderstorms around the low pressure system is currently asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms are occurring in bands in the western side of the low pressure system. Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consist primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms in the western half of the system generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the low pressure system.

Invest 93S will move through an environment favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. The low pressure system will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the northwestern part of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear is currently contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. However, the vertical wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent Invest 93S from developing into a tropical cyclone.

Invest 93S will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the low pressure system toward the west-southwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Invest 93S could reach the coast of northeastern Madagascar within 72 hours. Invest 93S is forecast to be a tropical cyclone when it reaches northern Madagascar. It will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Madagascar during the weekend. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany Makes Landfall near Port Roper

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany made landfall near Port Roper, Australia on Tuesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany was located at latitude 14.9°S and longitude 134.7°E which put it about 45 miles (75 km) west of Port Roper, Australia. Tiffany was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 991 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany made landfall near Port Roper on the west coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria on Tuesday night. Tiffany was the equivalent of a strong tropical storm at the time of landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were dropping heavy rain over the region west of Port Roper. A Flood Watch was in effect for many of the rivers in the area.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over Australia. The high pressure system will steer Tiffany toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move across the northern part of the Northern Territory. The center of Tiffany will pass near Ngukurr, Mataranka, Barunga and Katherine. Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland, but it will continue to drop heavy rain over the northern part of the Northern Territory. Locally heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some location.

Elsewhere over the South Pacific Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Cody was moving farther southwest of Fiji. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Cody was located at latitude 23.1°S and longitude 174.1°E which put it about 435 miles (705 km) southwest of Suva, Fiji. Cody was moving toward the south at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 985 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany Strengthens over Gulf of Carpentaria

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany strengthened over the Gulf of Carpentaria on Tuesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany was located at latitude 15.2°S and longitude 137.4°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Groote Eylandt, Australia. Tiffany was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 991 mb.

A Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast of the Northern Territory from Nhulunbuy to the border with Queensland. The Warning included Groote Eylandt, Port Roper and Port McArthur.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany exhibited greater organization as it strengthened on Tuesday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern side of the center of circulation and a partial eyewall appeared to be developing. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tiffany’s circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Tiffany.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Tiffany will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31˚C. It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over eastern Australia. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tiffany’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. However, Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will intensify over the warm water in the Gulf of Carpentaria during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over Australia during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Tiffany toward west. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will pass south of Groote Eylandt during the next few hours. Tiffany will make landfall on the coast of the Northern Territory near Port Roper in about 12 hours. Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the eastern part of the Northern Territory. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Flood Watches have been issued for rivers in the eastern part of the Northern Territory.

Elsewhere over the South Pacific Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Cody was continued to churn southwest of Fiji. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Cody was located at latitude 21.5°S and longitude 173.5°E which put it about 390 miles (625 km) southwest of Suva, Fiji. Cody was moving toward the south-southeast at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 991 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany Crosses Cape York Peninsula

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany crossed the Cape York Peninsula on Monday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany was located at latitude 14.8°S and longitude 140.9°E which put it about 55 miles (90 km) west of Pormpuraaw, Australia. Tiffany was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 997 mb.

A Warning was in effect for Groote Eylandt. A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast of the Northern Territory from Nhulunbuy to the border with Queensland. The Watch included Numbalwar, Port Roper and Port McArthur.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany emerged over the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria near Pormpuraaw on Monday after it moved westward across the Cape York Peninsula. New thunderstorms were forming in bands in the western and northern parts of Tiffany’s circulation. Bands in the eastern and southern parts of the circulation were still over land and those bands contained fewer thunderstorms. The strongest winds were occurring in the bands over the Gulf of Carpentaria. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Tiffany will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31˚C. It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over eastern Australia. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tiffany’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. However, Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will intensify over the warm water in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Tiffany could intensify rapidly once more of the circulation moves over water and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over Australia during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Tiffany toward west. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Tiffany could approach Groote Eylandt in 24 hours. Tiffany could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it approaches Groote Eylandt.

Elsewhere over the South Pacific Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Cody was continued to meander southwest of Fiji. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Cody was located at latitude 20.9°S and longitude 174.1°E which put it about 330 miles (535 km) southwest of Suva, Fiji. Cody was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.