Category Archives: Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone Michaung Intensifies Southeast of Nellore, India

Tropical Cyclone Michaung intensified over the Bay of Bengal southeast of Nellore, India on Monday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung was located at latitude 14.1°N and longitude 80.7°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) southeast of Nellore, India. Michaung was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung intensified to the threshold of a hurricane/typhoon over the Bay of Bengal southeast of Nellore, India on Monday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Michaung’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung. 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. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Michaung will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal. The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Michaung’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. The western part of Tropical Cyclone Michaung’s circulation will be over southeastern India. Even though almost half of Michaung will be over land, the center of circulation will still be over the Bay of Bengal. Tropical Cyclone Michaung could intensify to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over East Asia. The high pressure system will steer Michaung toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move toward the coast of southeast India. The center of Michaung will approach the coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam in 18 hours. The India Meteorological Department issued Cyclone Warnings for the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Tropical Cyclone Michaung will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southeast India. Bands in the western side of Michaung’s circulation were already dropping rain over northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh. There were reports of flooding in Chennai. Heavy rain could cause additional floods in other locations. Tropical Cyclone Michaung could cause a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung Strengthens East of Chennai, India

Tropical Cyclone Michaung strengthened over the Bay of Bengal east of Chennai, India on Sunday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung was located at latitude 13.1°N and longitude 81.7°E which put it about 105 miles (165 km) east of Chennai, India. Michaung was moving toward the northwest 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 996 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung strengthened gradually on Sunday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western side of the center of Michaung’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung. 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. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Michaung will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal. The upper level ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Michaung’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Michaung system will intensify during the next 24 hours. Michaung could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over East Asia. The high pressure system will steer Michaung toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move toward the coast of southeast India. The center of Michaung will approach the coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam in 36 hours. The India Meteorological Department issued Cyclone Alerts for the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Tropical Cyclone Michaung will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southeast India. Bands in the western side of Michaung’s circulation were already dropping rain over northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh. Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Michaung could cause a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung Develops over Southwest Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Michaung developed over the southwestern Bay of Bengal on Saturday evening. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung was located at latitude 11.7°N and longitude 82.3°E which put it about 185 miles (300 km) southeast of Chennai, India. Michaung was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1001 mb.

A low pressure system over the southwestern Bay of Bengal strengthened on Saturday evening and the India Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Michaung. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Michaung’s circulation. 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. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Michaung will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Michaung’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Michaung system will intensify during the next 24 hours. Michaung could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over East Asia. The high pressure system will steer Michaung toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move toward the coast of southeast India. The center of Michaung could be east of Chennai in 24 hours. Tropical Cyclone Michaung will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southeast India. Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations. The India Meteorological Department issued Cyclone Alerts for the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Low Pressure System Forms over Bay of Bengal

A low pressure system formed over the Bay of Bengal on Thursday. The low pressure system was designated as Invest 95B. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of a low pressure system was located at latitude 9.4°N and longitude 86.3°E which put it about 485 miles (780 km) southeast of Chennai, India. The low pressure system was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1008 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the Bay of Bengal exhibited more organization on Thursday evening. The pattern of clouds began to look more like a developing tropical cyclone. More thunderstorms formed in bands around the low pressure system. The bands started to revolve around the center of circulation. Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the low pressure system.

The low pressure system will be in an environment favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone during the next 36 hours. Invest 95B will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge 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. The low pressure system will intensify during the next 36 hours. It is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone.

The low pressure system will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over East Asia. The high pressure system will steer Invest 95B toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, the low pressure system will move toward the coast of southeast India. It could approach the coast as a tropical cyclone by the end of the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Midhili Develops over Northern Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Midhili developed over the northern Bay of Bengal near Bangladesh on Thursday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Midhili was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 89.2°E which put it about 160 miles (260 km) south-southeast of Kolkata, India. Midhili was moving toward the northeast at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1003 mb.

A low pressure system over the northern Bay of Bengal near Bangladesh strengthened on Thursday evening and the India Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Midhili. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Cyclone Midhili was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northeastern part of Midhili’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of Midhili consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

An upper level trough over India was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Tropical Cyclone Midhili. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Midhili.

Tropical Cyclone Midhili will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Midhili will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. However, the upper level trough over India will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Cyclone Midhili could intensify a little before it makes landfall in Bangladesh.

The upper level trough over India will steer Tropical Cyclone Midhili toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Midhili will make landfall on the coast of Bangladesh near Khepupara in 12 hours Tropical Cyclone Midhili will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southern Bangladesh. Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Hamoon Brings Wind and Rain to Bangladesh

Tropical Cyclone Hamoon brought wind and rain to Bangladesh on Tuesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 91.5°E which put it about 110 miles (170 km) southwest of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Hamoon was moving toward the east-northeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 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. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 981 mb.

Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon brought wind and rain to Bangladesh on Tuesday. An upper level trough over India was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Hamoon’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The strong vertical wind shear was tilting the upper part of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon to the northeast of the lower part of Hamoon’s circulation. The upper part of Hamoon’s circulation was over southern Bangladesh on Tuesday. Rain was falling on southern Bangladesh.

Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hamoon was 12.7. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 22.7. Tropical Cyclone Hamoon was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dolly when Dolly hit south Texas in 2008.

The upper level trough over India will steer Tropical Cyclone Hamoon toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center Tropical Cyclone Hamoon will cross the coast of Bangladesh near Chittagong in a few hours. Hamoon will continue to produce strong winds and locally heavy rain in southern and eastern Bangladesh. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Hamoon could cause a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coast of Bangladesh. Hamoon will also bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of eastern India.

Tropical Cyclone Hamoon Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Hamoon rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the northern Bay of Bengal on Monday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 89.5°E which put it about 230 miles (390 km) southwest of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Hamoon was moving toward the northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 985 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Hamoon rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the northern Bay of Bengal on Monday evening. A small circular eye formed at the center of Hamoon’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Hamoon was small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Hamoon’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Hamoon was 11.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 22.3. Tropical Cyclone Hamoon was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Isaias when Isaias hit North Carolina in 2020.

Tropical Cyclone Hamoon will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Hamoon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over India. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Hamoon’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be strong enough to prevent additional intensification. Tropical Cyclone Hamoon could intensify during the next 12 hours. The upper level southwesterly winds will get stronger later on Tuesday. The stronger upper level winds will increase the vertical wind shear. Hamoon could start to weaken when the wind shear increases.

The upper level trough over India will steer Tropical Cyclone Hamoon toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Hamoon will move approach the coast of Bangladesh in 24 hours. Hamoon will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Bangladesh. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Hamoon could cause a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coast of Bangladesh.

Tropical Cyclone Tej Makes Landfall in Eastern Yemen

Tropical Cyclone Tej made landfall in eastern Yemen on Monday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Tej was located at latitude 15.6°N and longitude 52.0°E which put it about 25 miles (400 km) southwest of Nishtun, Yemen. Tej was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 986 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Tej made landfall on the coast of eastern Yemen between Nishtun and Qishn on Monday afternoon. Tej weakened as it approached the coast of Yemen. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Tej’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Tej was 11.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 11.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 23.0. Tropical Cyclone Tej was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dolly when Dolly hit south Texas in 2008.

Tropical Cyclone Tej was capable of causing regional minor damage. Tej will produce strong winds and locally heavy rain over eastern Yemen and far western Oman. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Tej will weaken steadily when it moves into the dry environment over eastern Yemen.

Tropical Cyclone Hamoon Forms over Northern Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Hamoon formed over the northern Bay of Bengal on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 87.6°E which put it about 390 miles (630 km) southwest of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Hamoon was moving toward the north-northeast 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 1000 mb.

A low pressure system over the northern Bay of Bengal intensified on Monday morning and the India Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Hamoon. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Hamoon’s circulation. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern half of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon. Bands in the southern half of Hamoon’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical cyclone.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the northern side of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the southern part of Hamoon’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Hamoon will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Hamoon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over India. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Hamoon’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be strong enough to prevent some intensification. Tropical Cyclone Hamoon could intensify during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough over India will steer Tropical Cyclone Hamoon toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Hamoon will move toward Bangladesh. Hamoon will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Bangladesh later this week. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Tej Moves Toward Eastern Yemen

Tropical Cyclone Tej moved over the Arabian Sea toward eastern Yemen on Sunday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Tej was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 54.0°E which put it about 255 miles (410 km) south of Salalah, Oman. Tej was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 961 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Tej appeared to go through an eyewall replacement cyclone on Sunday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the original small eye and eyewall. The inner eyewall dissipated on Sunday afternoon and a larger eye was apparent on satellite images. The new, larger 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 Tej. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

Even though Tropical Cyclone Tej went through an eyewall replacement cycle, its circulation was still small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Tej’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Tej was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 29.3. Tropical Cyclone Tej was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Zeta when Zeta hit Louisiana in 2020.

Tropical Cyclone Tej will move through an environment that will become more unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Tej 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. However, Tropical Cyclone Tej will move closer to dry air over Yemen and Oman. Northerly winds in the western side of Tej’s circulation could start to pull the dry air into the tropical cyclone. The recently completed eyewall replacement cycle and the dry air could cause Tropical Cyclone Tej to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Tej will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over South Asia. The high pressure system will steer Tej toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Tej will approach the coast of eastern Yemen near Nishtun in 24 hours. Tej will bring strong winds to eastern Yemen. Tropical Cyclone Tej will also drop heavy rain on parts of eastern Yemen and western Oman. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.