Category Archives: Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone Karim Moves Southwest of Cocos Island

Tropical Cyclone Karim moved southwest of Cocos Island on Tuesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Karim was located at latitude 17.1°S and longitude 92.4°E which put it about 445 miles (725 km) southwest of Cocos Island. Karim was moving toward the south-southeast at 15 m.p.h (24 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 980 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Karim showed signs of weakening as it moved over the South Indian Ocean southwest of Cocos Island on Tuesday morning. The distribution of thunderstorms became asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands south and east of the center of Karim. Bands in the northern and western parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms southeast of the center of circulation were still generating upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Karim.

Tropical Cyclone Karim will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Karim will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24˚C. An upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean will produce strong northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Karim’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. A combination of colder Sea Surface Temperatures and moderate vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Karim to weaken during the next 48 hours.

The upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean will steer Tropical Cyclone Karim toward the southeast during the next 24 hours. When Karim moves over colder water, the thunderstorms will not rise as high in the atmosphere and the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Karim will not be as tall. When the circulation around Karim becomes shorter, it will be steered by winds lower in the atmosphere. The winds lower in the atmosphere could turn Karim back toward the north later this week. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Karim could meander south of Cocos Island while it weakens during the next several days.

Tropical Cyclone Asani Moves Northwest across Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Asani moved northwest across the Bay of Bengal on Monday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Asani was located at latitude 14.6°N and longitude 85.3°E which put it about 275 miles (445 km) southeast of Visakhapatnam, India and about 595 miles (965 km) south-southwest of Kolkata. Asani was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h (15 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 980 mb.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Cyclone Asani became more asymmetrical on Monday morning as Asani moved northwest across the western Bay of Bengal. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Asani’s circulation. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms just west of the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Asani.

Tropical Cyclone Asani will move through an environment that will become more unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Asani will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over South Asia. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tropical Cyclone Asani’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. Asani will move toward a mass of drier air that is sinking in the ridge over South Asia. The moderate vertical wind shear and the sinking drier air are likely to cause Asani to start to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Asani will move around the western side of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia. The high pressure system will steer Asani toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Asani will move toward the east coast of India. Asani could approach of Visakhapatnam in 48 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Karim Passes West of Cocos Island

Tropical Cyclone Karim passed west of Cocos Island on Monday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Karim was located at latitude 12.8°S and longitude 90.9°E which put it about 410 miles (660 km) west of Cocos Island. Karim was moving toward the south at 8 m.p.h (13 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 980 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Karim strengthened a little as it passed west of Cocos Islands over the South Indian Ocean on Monday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Karim’s circulation and a small eye appeared on microwave satellite imagery. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands southern and western parts of Tropical Cyclone Karim. Bands in the northern and eastern parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southeast of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (230 km) from the center of Karim.

Tropical Cyclone Karim will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Karim will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over the Southeast Indian Ocean. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Karim’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. The wind shear may not be large enough to stop Tropical Cyclone Karim from intensifying and Karim could strengthen a little more during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Karim will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Southeast Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Karim toward the south-southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Karim will move southwest of Cocos Island during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Asani Intensifies to Equivalent of a Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Asani intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the Bay of Bengal on Sunday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Asani was located at latitude 12.0°N and longitude 88.3°E which put it about 750 miles (1215 km) south of Kolkata, India. Asani was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h (16 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 977 mb.

Former Tropical Cyclone 02B intensified on Sunday morning and the India Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Asani. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands southwest of the center of Asani’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Asani. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Asani. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Asani will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Asani will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southern 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 the low pressure system. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be large enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Asani is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. Asani will move toward a mass of drier air when it moves closer to India in a day or two.

Tropical Cyclone Asani will move around the western side of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia. The high pressure system will steer Asani toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Asani will move toward the east coast of India. Asani could be southeast of Visakhapatnam in 48 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Karim Strengthens West-northwest of Cocos Island

Tropical Cyclone Karim strengthened over the South Indian Ocean west-northwest of Cocos Island on Sunday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Karim was located at latitude 10.6°S and longitude 90.3°E which put it about 465 miles (750 km) west-northwest of Cocos Island. Karim was moving toward the south at 6 m.p.h (10 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 983 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Karim exhibited much more organization on Sunday morning as it strengthened over the South Indian Ocean. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western side of the center of Karim’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Karim.

Tropical Cyclone Karim will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Karim will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over the Southeast Indian Ocean. The ridge will produce north-northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Karim’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be large enough to stop Karim from intensifying. Tropical Cyclone Karim is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Karim will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Southeast Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Karim toward the south-southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Karim will pass west of Cocos Island during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone 02B Develops over Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone 02B developed over the Bay of Bengal southwest of Port Blair on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone 02B was located at latitude 9.9°N and longitude 90.9°E which put it about 165 miles (265 km) southwest of Port Blair, Andaman Islands. Tropical Cyclone 02B was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h (15 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 995 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the eastern Bay of Bengal strengthened on Saturday morning and the center was designated as Tropical Cyclone 02B. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Cyclone 02B. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern side of the center of circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone 02B will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. The tropical cyclone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31˚C. It will move under the southern 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 the low pressure system. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be large enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone 02B will intensify during the next 36 hours and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone 02B will move around the southwestern side of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia. The high pressure system will steer the tropical cyclone toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone 02B will move slowly away from the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands. The tropical cyclone will continue to drop locally heavy rain over the Nicobar Islands and the Andaman Islands until it moves farther northwest of those areas. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Karim Forms over the South Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone Karim formed over the South Indian Ocean west-northwest of Cocos Island on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Karim was located at latitude 8.0°S and longitude 89.6°E which put it about 585 miles (945 km) west-northwest of Cocos Island. Karim was moving toward the southeast at 8 m.p.h (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean west-northwest of Cocos Island strengthened on Saturday morning and the system was designated as Tropical Cyclone Karim. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Karim’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southeast of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Karim will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Karim will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over the Southeast Indian Ocean. The ridge will produce north-northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Karim’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be large enough to stop Karim from intensifying. Tropical Cyclone Karim is likely to strengthen during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Karim will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Southeast Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Karim toward the south-southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Karim will pass west of Cocos Island in 48 hours.

Low Pressure System Forms over Eastern Bay of Bengal

A low pressure system formed over the eastern Bay of Bengal near the Nicobar Islands on Friday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of a low pressure system was located at latitude 8.6°N and longitude 92.5°E which put it about 45 miles (75 km) south-southwest of Malacca, Nicobar Islands and about 205 miles (330 km) south of Port Blair, Andaman Islands. The low pressure system was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h (15 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. (65 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

A surface low pressure system, also designated as Invest 92B, formed over the eastern Bay of Bengal near the Nicobar Islands on Friday morning. The circulation around the low pressure system exhibited more organization on conventional and microwave satellite images. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in a band just to the west of the center of the low pressure system. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence that was pumping mass away from the low pressure system. The removal of mass was causing the surface pressure to decrease.

The low pressure system will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The low pressure system will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31˚C. It will move under the southern 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 the low pressure system. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be large enough to prevent intensification. The low pressure system will strengthen during the next 24 hours and it could intensify to a tropical cyclone during the weekend.

The low pressure system will move around the southwestern side of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia. The high pressure system will steer the low pressure system toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the low pressure system will move slowly away from the Nicobar Islands. The low pressure system will drop locally heavy rain over the Nicobar Islands and the Andaman Islands. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Jasmine Brings Gusty Winds and Rain to Southern Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Jasmine brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southern Madagascar on Tuesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Jasmine was located at latitude 23.4°S and longitude 44.0°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) east of Toliara, Madagascar. Jasmine was moving toward the east at 10 m.p.h (16 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 988 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Jasmine made landfall on the southwest coast of Madagascar near Toliara on Tuesday. Jasmine was the equivalent of a tropical storm at the time of landfall. The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Jasmine.

Tropical Cyclone Jasmine will move east across the southern end of Madagascar during the next 18 hours. Jasmine will weaken as it moves over southern Madagascar but it will continue to produce gusty winds. The gusty winds could cause minor damage and electrical outages. Tropical Cyclone Jasmine will also drop locally heavy rain over parts of southern Madagascar. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations, especially in places with steep slopes.

Tropical Cyclone Jasmine Moves Toward Southwest Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Jasmine moved toward southwest Madagascar on Monday night. At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Jasmine was located at latitude 22.8°S and longitude 41.9°E which put it about 125 miles (200 km) west-northwest of Toliara, Madagascar. Jasmine was moving toward the southeast at 5 m.p.h (8 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 985 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Jasmine strengthened slightly on Monday night as it moved over the Mozambique Channel toward southwest Madagascar. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Jasmine’s circulation. A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the center of circulation. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in the southern past of the ring. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Jasmine. Storms near the core of Jasmine generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Jasmine was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Jasmine.

Tropical Cyclone Jasmine will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Jasmine will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. An upper level trough over southern Africa will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jasmine’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase on Tuesday. Tropical Cyclone Jasmine could intensify during the next few hours, but it may start to weaken later on Tuesday when the shear increases.

The upper level trough over southern Africa will steer tropical cyclone Jasmine toward the east-southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Jasmine will approach the coast of southwest Madagascar during the next 12 hours. The center of Tropical Cyclone Jasmine could make landfall near Toliara in 15 to 18 hours. Jasmine will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southern Madagascar during the next 36 hours. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.