Category Archives: Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone Murasu Brings Wind and Rain to Andhra Pradesh

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Tropical Cyclone Murasu brought wind and rain to Andhra Pradesh on Monday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Murasu was located at latitude 15.3°N and longitude 80.4°E which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) southeast of Ongolu, India.  Murasu was moving toward the north-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 976 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Murasu became the second tropical cyclone to hit Andhra Pradesh in less than a week.  Tropical Cyclone Arnab made landfall on the coast of Andhra Pradesh last Tuesday a little to the northeast of where Murasu made landfall.

Tropical Cyclone Murasu rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday as it approached the coast of Andhra Pradesh.  A small circular eye formed at the center of Murasu’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Murasu.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Murasu was very small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Murasu’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Murasu.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Murasu is 16.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 6.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 23.0.  Tropical Cyclone Murasu is similar in intensity to Hurricane Idalia when Idalia hit Florida in 2023.  Tropical Cyclone Murasu is not as big as Idalia was.

Tropical Cyclone Murasu will move around the western side of a high pressure system that is over the northern Bay of Bengal.  The high pressure system will steer Murasu toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Murasu will move inland over Ongolu, India.  Murasu will move northwest of Ongolu when it moves farther inland.

Tropical Cyclone Murasu will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Andhra Pradesh.   Murasu will be capable of causing serious damage as it moves inland.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Murasu could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the coast of Andhra Pradesh.

Tropical Cyclone Murasu Nears Southeast India

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Tropical Cyclone Murasu was nearing the coast of southeastern India on Sunday evening.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Murasu was located at latitude 13.7°N and longitude 81.5°E which put the center about 125 miles (200 km) east-southeast of Nellore, India.  Murasu was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 996 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Murasu strengthened on Sunday as it moved toward the coast of Andhra Pradesh in southeastern India.  Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Murasu’ circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Murasu.  Storms near the center of Murasu generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease on Sunday.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Murasu was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Murasu’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Murasu will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Murasu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over southern India and the western part of the Bay of Bengal.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, Murasu could run into a mass of drier air when it gets closer to the coast of India.  Tropical Cyclone Murasu could intensify during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Murasu will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over South Asia and the Bay of Bengal.  The high pressure system will steer Murasu toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Murasu will move reach the coast of Andhra Pradesh north of Nellore in about 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Murasu will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Andhra Pradesh.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Murasu could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast of Andhra Pradesh.

New Tropical Cyclone Forms over Bay of Bengal

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A new tropical cyclone formed over the Bay of Bengal on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone 04B was located at latitude 11.9°N and longitude 86.0°E which put the center about 500 miles (805 km) east-southeast of Ongolu, India.  Tropical Cyclone 04B was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1007 mb.

A new tropical cyclone formed over the Bay of Bengal on Saturday.  The India Meteorological Department was classifying the tropical cyclone as a depression.  So, it has not yet been designated with a name.

Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Tropical Cyclone 04B.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands revolving around the center of the tropical cyclone.  Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Tropical Cyclone 04B.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the northeastern quadrant of the tropical cyclone.  The winds in the other parts of Tropical Cyclone 04B were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Cyclone 04B will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The tropical cyclone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Bay of Bengal.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone 04B will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone 04B will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over South Asia and the Bay of Bengal.  The high pressure system will steer that tropical cyclone toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone 04B will move toward Andhra Pradesh.  Tropical Cyclone 04B could approach the coast of Andhra Pradesh in 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone 04B will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Andhra Pradesh.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone 04B could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast of Andhra Pradesh.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab Drops Heavy Rain on Andhra Pradesh

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Tropical Cyclone Arnab dropped heavy rain on Andhra Pradesh as it moved inland on Wednesday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Arnab was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 81.8°E which put the center about 20 miles (30 km) south of Rajamahendravaram, India.  Arnab was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (150 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab was moving slowly inland over Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday.  Arnab made landfall on the east coast of India near the Mouths of the Godavari River.  There were reports of flooding and fatalities in parts of Andhra Pradesh.

The strongest winds in Tropical Cyclone Arnab were occurring in the eastern and southwestern parts of Arnab’s circulation that were still over the Bay of Bengal.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the eastern and southwestern parts of Tropical Cyclone Arnab.  The winds in the northwestern part of Arnab’s circulation, which was over land, were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab will move around the western part of a high pressure system that is over the Bay of Bengal.  The high pressure system will steer Arnab toward the nroth during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Arnab will move farther inland over northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Madhya Pradesh.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab will gradually weaken as it moves farther inland.  Arnab will continue to drop heavy rain over northern Andhra Pradesh, southern Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.  Heavy rain is likely to cause additional flash flooding in the region.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab Brings Wind and Rain to Eastern India

Tropical Cyclone Arnab brought wind and rain to eastern India on Tuesday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Arnab was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 83.4°E which put the center about 135 miles (215 km) east of Machilipatnam, India.  Arnab was moving toward the west-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 947 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab made landfall on the coast of Andhra Pradesh just to the east of Machilipatnam on Tuesday.  Arnab rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane before it made landfall in eastern India.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab was the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale at the time of landfall.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Arnab’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Arnab.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Arnab was 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 35.1.  Tropical Cyclone Arnab was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over over the Bay of Bengal.  The high pressure system will steer Arnab toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Arnab will move inland over northern Andhra Pradesh.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab will be capable of causing sever damage as it moves inland over northern Andhra Pradesh.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash flooding in some locations. Widespread electricity outages are likely.  Tropical Cyclone Arnab could cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along parts of the coast of Andhra Pradesh.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab Develops over Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Arnab developed rapidly over the Bay of Bengal on Sunday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Arnab was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 87.8°E which put the center about 500 miles (805 km) east-southeast of Machilipatnam, India.  Arnab was moving toward the west 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 986 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Sunday night after it developed over the Bay of Bengal.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Arnab’s circulation.  A small circular eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Cyclone Arnab.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Arnab.  Storms near the center of Arnab generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Arnab was small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Arnab’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Arnab.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Arnab will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge that is over Southeast Asia and the Bay of Bengal.  The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Arnab’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Arnab will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Arnab could rapidly intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over Southeast Asia and the Bay of Bengal.  The high pressure system will steer Arnab toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Arnab will move toward southeastern India.

Tropical Cyclone Arnab could approach the coast of Andhra Pradesh in 36 hours.  Arnab is likely to be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it approaches the coast.  Tropical Cyclone Arnab will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Andhra Pradesh.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Arnab could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the coast of Andhra Pradesh.

Tropical Cyclone Agueda Passes North of Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Agueda passed north of Madagascar on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Agueda was located at latitude 6.1°S and longitude 50.7°E which put the center about 400 miles (645 km) north of Antsiranana, Madagascar.  Agueda was moving toward the west-southwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 997 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Agueda strengthened on Wednesday.  Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Agueda’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving  around the center of Tropical Cyclone Agueda.  Storms near the center of Agueda generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Agueda was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Agueda’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Agueda will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Agueda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, Agueda will move into a region of drier air on Thursday.  Tropical Cyclone Agueda is likely to weaken when it moves into the region of drier air.

Tropical Cyclone Agueda will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Agueda toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Agueda will move northwest of Madagascar on Thursday.

Tropical Cyclone Agueda Forms West of Seychelles

Tropical Cyclone Agueda formed over the South Indian Ocean west of the Seychelles on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Agueda was located at latitude 5.2°S and longitude 52.5°E which put the center about 180 miles (290 km) west of the Seychelles.  Agueda was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 1003 mb.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean west of the Seychelles strengthened on Tuesday and Meteo France la Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Agueda.

Thunderstorms were forming near the center of Tropical Cyclone Agueda.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the western side of Agueda’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Cyclone Agueda consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Agueda generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Agueda was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Agueda’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Agueda will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Agueda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Agueda’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Agueda could intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Agueda will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Agueda toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Agueda will pass north of Madagascar later this week.

Tropical Cyclone Indusa Weakens

Tropical Cyclone Indusa weakened on Sunday as it moved quickly toward the southeast over the South Indian Ocean.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Indusa was located at latitude 32.9°S and longitude 73.8°E which put the center about 1125 miles (1815 km) south-southeast of Port Mathurin, Rodrigues.  Indusa was moving toward the southeast at 24 m.p.h. (39 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 995 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Indusa weakened on Sunday as it move over cooler water.  In addition, an upper level trough that was southeast of Madagascar produced strong northwesterly winds that blew across the top of Indusa’s circulation.  Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear.  The effects of the cooler water and strong vertical wind shear caused Tropical Cyclone Indusa to weaken.

The strong northwesterly winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere blew the top half of Tropical Cyclone Indusa to the southeast of Indusa’s low level circulation.  Bands around the low level center of Indusa’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Since the low level circulation did not generate upper level divergence, the surface pressure increased on Sunday.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Indusa.

Tropical Cyclone Indusa will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Indusa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 22°C.  It will continue to be under the eastern part of the upper level trough that is southeast of Madagascar.  The upper level trough will continue to produce strong northwesterly winds that will blow across the top of Indusa’s circulation.  Those winds will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  Cooler Sea Surface Temperatures and strong vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Indusa to continue to weaken on Monday.  The cooler water and strong vertical wind shear will cause Indusa to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough that is southeast of Madagascar will steer Tropical Cyclone Indusa toward the southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Indusa will continue to move quickly farther away from Rodrigues.

Tropical Cyclone Indusa Passes East of Rodrigues

Tropical Cyclone Indusa passed east of Rodrigues on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Indusa was located at latitude 24.7°S and longitude 70.4°E which put the center about 575 miles (930 km) east-southeast of Port Mathurin, Rodrigues.  Indusa was moving toward the south at 23 m.p.h. (37 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Indusa strengthened on Saturday as it passed well to the east of Rodrigues.  Thunderstorms continued to form near the center of Indusa’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Indusa.  Storms near the center of Indusa generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Cyclone Indusa became a little more asymmetrical on Saturday.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Indusa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Cyclone Indusa.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the western half of Indusa’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Indusa will move into an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Indusa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24°C.  It will move under the eastern part of an upper level trough that is southeast of Madagascar.  The upper level trough will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Indusa’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Cooler Sea Surface Temperatures and more vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Indusa to weaken on Sunday.

The upper level trough that is southeast of Madagascar will steer Tropical Cyclone Indusa toward the south-southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Indusa will move rapidly farther away from Rodrigues.