Category Archives: Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone Ancha Forms Southeast of Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Ancha formed over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia on Tuesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ancha was located at latitude 11.7°S and longitude 74.2°E which put the center about 335 miles (540 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia.  Ancha was moving toward the south-southwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 994 mb.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia intensified on Tuesday night and Meteo France la Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Ancha.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Ancha exhibited more organization on Wednesday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern side of the center of Ancha’s circulation.  Even though the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Ancha exhibited more organization, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern and southern parts of Ancha’s circulation.  Bands in the northern and western parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Ancha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical cyclone.

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

Tropical Cyclone Ancha will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ancha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ancha’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The combination of cooler water and moderate vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Ancha to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Ancha will move around the western end of high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ancha toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Ancha will pass well to the south of Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Asna Weakens East of Oman

Tropical Cyclone Asna weakened over the northern Arabian Sea east of Oman on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Asna was located at latitude 21.4°N and longitude 61.4°E which put the center about 185 miles (300 km) east-northeast of Masirah Island.  Asna was moving toward the southwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 994 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Asna moved into a large mass of dry air over the Arabian Sea east of Oman on Sunday.  The dry air caused the thunderstorms in Asna’s circulation to dissipate.  Tropical Cyclone Asna still had a well defined low level circulation on Sunday afternoon, but the circulation was very shallow.  Bands of showers and lower clouds were revolving around the center of Asna’s circulation.  However, there were no thunderstorms and there wasn’t any upper level divergence.

Tropical Cyclone Asna will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Asna will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  However, it will remain within the large mass of dry air.  The dry air will prevent the formation of new thunderstorms.  Tropical Cyclone Asna will weaken during the next 24 hours as the low level circulation gradually dissipates.

Tropical Cyclone Asna Spins South of Pakistan

Tropical Cyclone Asna was spinning over the Arabian Sea south of Pakistan on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Asna was located at latitude 23.2°N and longitude 62.9°E which put the center about 275 miles (445 km) west-southwest of Karachi, Pakistan.  Asna was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 989 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Asna strengthened on Saturday as it moved across the northern Arabian Sea south of Pakistan.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern side of the center of Tropical Cyclone Asna.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and western parts of Asna’s circulation.  Bands in the southeastern part of Asna consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Asna’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Asna.

Tropical Cyclone Asna will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Asna will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  There is a large mass of drier air over Southwest Asia.  The circulation around the northern side of Asna could draw drier air into the tropical cyclone.  Tropical Cyclone Asna could strengthen a little more during the next 24 hours, if Asna does not pull too much drier air into its circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Asna will move around the southeastern part of a high pressure system over Southwest Asia.  The high pressure system will steer Asna toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Asna will move toward Oman.

 

Tropical Cyclone Asna Forms Over Northern Arabian Sea

Tropical Cyclone Asna formed over the northern Arabian Sea south of Pakistan on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Asna was located at latitude 23.9°N and longitude 66.4°E which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) south of Karachi, Pakistan. Asna was moving toward the west 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 990 mb.

A low pressure system over the Arabian Sea south of Pakistan strengthened on Friday and the India Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Asna.  There was a distinct low level center of circulation in Tropical Cyclone Asna.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Asna’c circulation.  Bands in the northern part of Tropical Cyclone Asna consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Asna’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southwest of the tropical cyclone.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Asna.

Tropical Cyclone Asna will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Asna will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  There is a large mass of drier air over Southwest Asia.  The circulation around the northern side of Asna could draw drier air into the tropical cyclone.  Tropical Cyclone Asna could strengthen during the next 24 hours, if it does not pull too much drier air into its circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Asna will move around the southeastern part of a high pressure system over Southwest Asia.  The high pressure system will steer Asna toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Asna will move parallel to the coast of Pakistan.

Bands in the northern side of Tropical Cyclone Asna could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southern Pakistan.  Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.

Typhoon Ewiniar Moves Away From Luzon

Typhoon Ewiniar moved away from Luzon on Monday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Ewiniar was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 124.3°E which put it about 185 miles (300 km) east of Tuguegarao, Philippines. Ewiniar was moving toward the northeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 966 mb.

After intensifying rapidly on Sunday, Typhoon Ewiniar showed signs of weakening on Monday. A small eye with a diameter of 5 miles (8 km) was still present at the center of Ewiniar’s circulation. However, there were breaks in the ring of thunderstorms surrounding the eye. Storms near the center of Ewiniar still were generating upper level divergence that was pumping mass away from the typhoon. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Ewiniar.

The circulation around Typhoon Ewiniar was small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Ewiniar’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Ewiniar will move through an environment that will become less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Ewiniar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. An upper level trough near the east coast of China will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ewiniar’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. Since the circulation around Ewiniar is small, an increase in wind shear will have a larger effect on the typhoon. Typhoon Ewiniar is likely to weaken during the next 24 hours when the vertical wind shear increases.

Typhoon Ewiniar will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system and the upper level trough near the east coast of China will steer Ewiniar toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Typhoon Ewiniar will continue to move farther away from Luzon. Ewiniar will pass southeast of the Ryukyu Islands during the next few days.

Elsewhere, Tropical Cyclone Remal continued to drop heavy rain on Bangladesh. There were reports that Remal caused fatalities in Bangladesh. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Remal was located at latitude 23.1°N and longitude 89.2°E which put it about 85 miles (140 km) southwest of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Remal was moving toward the north-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 979 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Remal Brings Wind and Rain to West Bengal and Bangladesh

Tropical Cyclone Remal brought wind and rain to West Bengal and Bangladesh on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Remal was located at latitude 22.0°N and longitude 88.5°E which put it about 65 miles (105 km) south of Kolkata, India. Remal was moving toward the north at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 978 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Remal made landfall on the coast of West Bengal south of Kolkata on Sunday. The circulation around Remal was large at the time of landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (265 km) from the center of Remal’s circulation. A weather station at Mongla, Bangladesh reported a sustained wind speed of 47 m.p.h. (76 km/h).

Tropical Cyclone Remal was moving along with the leading edge of a surge of humid air moving north in the monsoonal flow over the Bay of Bengal. The monsoonal flow will steer Remal toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Remal will move inland across Bangladesh.

Tropical Cyclone Remal will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland. Remal will continue to bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Bangladesh and adjacent parts West Bengal. Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations. Remal could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of Bangladesh. Weather conditions should start to improve gradually on Monday when Tropical Cyclone Remal moves farther inland and weakens.

Tropical Cyclone Remal Approaches Bangladesh

Tropical Cyclone Remal was approaching the coast of Bangladesh and West Bengal on Sunday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Remal was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 88.9°E which put it about 155 miles (250 km) south-southeast of Kolkata, India. Remal was moving toward the north 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 985 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Remal was strengthening as it approached the coast of Bangladesh and West Bengal on Sunday morning. Even though Remal was getting stronger, the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Remal’s circulation. Bands in the northern part of Tropical Cyclone Remal consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Remal’s circulation 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 Remal was large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 190 miles (305 km) from the center of Remal’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Remal will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Remal will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over South Asia and the Bay of Bengal. The winds are weak near the axis off the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Remal is likely to intensify during the next 12 hours. The large circulation around Remal could cause intensification to occur slowly.

Tropical Cyclone Remal formed along the leading edge of a surge of humid air moving north in the monsoonal flow over the Bay of Bengal. The monsoonal flow will continue to steer Remal north during the next 12 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Remal will reach the northern coast of the Bay of Bengal in 12 hours. The center of Remal is likely to make landfall near the western border between India and Bangladesh.

Tropical Cyclone Remal will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Bangladesh and adjacent parts West Bengal. Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations. Remal could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of Bangladesh.

Tropical Cyclone Remal Forms over Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Remal formed over the Bay of Bengal on Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Remal was located at latitude 19.1°N and longitude 89.4°E which put it about 110 miles (175 km) south-southeast of Kolkata, India. Remal was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 993 mb.

A low pressure system over the Bay of Bengal strengthened on Saturday and the India Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Remal. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Cyclone Remal was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Remal’s circulation. Bands in the northern part of Tropical Cyclone Remal consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Remal’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Remal was large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Remal’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Remal will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Remal will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over South Asia and the Bay of Bengal. The winds are weak near the axis off the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Remal will intensify during the next 24 hours. The large circulation around Remal could cause intensification to occur slowly.

Tropical Cyclone Remal formed along the leading edge of a surge of humid air moving north in the monsoonal flow over the Bay of Bengal. The monsoonal flow will continue to steer Remal north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Remal will approach the northern coast of the Bay of Bengal in 24 hours. The center of Remal is likely to make landfall between Kolkata, India and Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Tropical Cyclone Remal will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Bangladesh and adjacent parts West Bengal. Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations. Remal could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of Bangladesh.

Tropical Cyclone Ialy Weakens Near Kenya and Somalia

Tropical Cyclone Ialy weakened near the coast of Kenya and Somalia on Wednesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ialy was located at latitude 2.9°S and longitude 42.7°E which put it about 200 miles (320 km) northeast of Mombasa, Kenya and about 170 miles (275 km) south of Kismayo, Somalia. Ialy was moving toward the northeast at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 1002 mb.

Westerly winds blowing around the northern side of Tropical Cyclone Ialy pulled drier air from east Africa into its circulation. The drier air was pulled around Ialy’s circulation and some of the drier air reached the center of Ialy. The drier air caused many of the thunderstorms around Tropical Cyclone Ialy to dissipate. Some thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern part of Ialy’s circulation. Upper level divergence decreased when the thunderstorms dissipated. The decrease in upper level divergence caused mass to accumulate at the surface and the surface pressure increased. Tropical Cyclone Ialy weakened rapidly during Tuesday night when the surface pressure increased. Ialy weakened from the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon to the equivalent of a tropical depression.

Tropical Cyclone Ialy will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Ialy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, the drier air will continue to be pulled from east Africa into Ialy’s circulation. The drier air will cause the remaining thunderstorms to dissipate. Tropical Cyclone Ialy will to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours. The circulation around Ialy could dissipate during the next day or so.

As the remaining thunderstorms in Tropical Cyclone Ialy dissipate, Ialy will be steered by winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere. Tropical Cyclone Ialy will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the equatorial Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Ialy slowly toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center Tropical Cyclone Ialy will remain off the coast of northern Kenya and southern Somalia. Ialy could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Ialy Strengthens to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Ialy strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon near the coast of Kenya and southern Somalia on Tuesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ialy was located at latitude 4.3°S and longitude 42.9°E which put it about 150 miles (240 km) east of Mombasa, Kenya. Ialy was moving toward the 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 986 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Ialy strengthened on Tuesday morning and Meteo France La Reunion indicated that Ialy had intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon. The center of Ialy’s circulation was at latitude 4.3°S, which demonstrates again that it is possible for a strong tropical cyclone to occur near the Equator if the environment is favorable. There is no record of another tropical cyclone occurring where Ialy is located in databases going back to 1945.

A band of thunderstorms wrapped around the center of Tropical Cyclone Ialy. Some satellite images showed evidence of a small eye at the center of Ialy’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the center of Tropical Cyclone Ialy. Storms near the center 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 Ialy was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Ialy.

Tropical Cyclone Ialy will move into an environment that will be more unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Ialy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, Tropical Cyclone Ialy is likely to pull drier air from east Africa toward its circulation. So far, the drier air has remained outside of Ialy’s circulation, but the drier air could start to inhibit formation of thunderstorms in the northern part of Ialy. Tropical Cyclone Ialy is likely to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Ialy will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the equatorial Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Ialy toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Ialy will move toward the coast of northern Kenya and southern Somalia.

Tropical Cyclone Ialy could bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the coastal sections of northern Kenya and southern Somalia. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Ialy could also cause a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coast of northern Kenya and southern Somalia.