Category Archives: Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone Maha Strengthens into Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Maha strengthened into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Sunday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Maha was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 64.8°E which put it about 525 miles (845 km) west of Mumbai, India.  Maha was moving toward the northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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. (230 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 958 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Maha continued to intensify on Sunday and it became the equivalent of a major hurricane.  There was a small eye at the center of circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Maha.  The strongest rainbands were in the eastern half of the tropical cyclone.  Bands in the western half of Maha consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the core of the circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Maha was relatively small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (35 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Maha was 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 6.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 27.2.  Maha was capable of causing localized major damage.

Tropical Cyclone Maha will move through an environment favorable for intensification for another 12 to 18 hours.  Maha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Maha may be pulling drier air into the western half of the circulation, which could be the reason for the lack of thunderstorms in that half of the circulation.  The drier air could prevent significant additional intensification if it gets pulled into the core of the circulation.  An upper level trough will approach Maha from the west in about 18 hours.  The trough will produce stronger westerly winds which will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Tropical Cyclone Maha will begin to weaken when the wind shear increases.

Tropical Cyclone Maha will move around the western end of a ridge of high pressure over India and the eastern Arabian Sea during the next 24 hours.  The ridge will steer Maha slowly toward the northwest.  When the upper level trough approaches Tropical Cyclone Maha, the westerly winds will steer the tropical cyclone back toward the east.  On its anticipated track Maha could approach the coast of India north of Mumbai in about 72 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Maha Strengthens to Equivalent of a Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Maha strengthened into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the Arabian Sea west of India on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Maha was located at latitude 17.7°N and longitude 66.1°E which put it about 440 miles (705 km) west-southwest of Mumbai, India.  Maha was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 997 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Maha exhibited better organization on Saturday.  An eye formed at the center of Maha.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in the ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Maha.  The strongest rainbands were in the southern half of the circulation.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Maha will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 to 48 hours.  Maha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move under the western portion of an upper level ridge where the winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Maha will continue to intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the n ext several days.

Tropical Cyclone Maha will move around the southwestern part of a ridge of high pressure over India and the eastern Arabian Sea.  The high will steer Maha toward the northwest during the next day or two.  An upper level trough will approach Tropical Cyclone Maha from the northwest in two or three days.  Westerly winds blowing around the southern end of the trough will turn Maha back toward the east.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Maha could approach the west coast of India north of Mumbai in about four days.

Tropical Cyclone Maha Reorganizes Southwest of Mumbai

Tropical Cyclone Maha reorganized over the Arabian Sea southwest of Mumbai, India on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Mumbai was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 68.8°E which put it about 320 miles (520 km) southwest of Mumbai, India.  Maha was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 997 mb.

After pulling drier air from India into the circulation and weakening on Thursday, Tropical Cyclone Maha appeared to be reorganizing on Friday afternoon.  Many of the thunderstorms in the rainbands weakened on Thursday.  A band of strong thunderstorms reformed on Friday and it was wrapping around the southern and eastern sides of the center of circulation.  The inner end of the rainband was wrapping closer to the center of the circulation and an inner core appeared to be reforming.  Storms in the band started to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Maha will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 48 hours.  Maha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Maha will intensify during the next day or two and it is likely to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Maha will move south of a ridge of high pressure over South Asia.  The high will steer Maha toward the northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Maha will remain west of India during the weekend.

Elsewhere over the Arabian Sea,, Tropical Cyclone Kyarr meandered northeast of Somalia.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Kyarr was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 58.0°E whichput it about 355 miles (575 km) northeast of Socotra, Yemen.  Kyar was moving toward the southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.

Tropical Cyclone Maha Forms Southwest of India

Tropical Cyclone Maha formed over the Arabian Sea southwest of India on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Maha was located at latitude 11.0°N and longitude 73.3°E which put it about 140 miles (225 km) southwest of Mangalore, India.  Maha was moving toward the northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 997 mb.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of a low pressure over the Arabian Sea west of the southern tip of India on Wednesday and the India Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Maha.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Maha was still organizing on Wednesday.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were forming and the bands were starting to revolve around the center of Maha.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of the circulation.  Some thunderstorms were also forming in bands in the eastern half of the tropical cyclone, but the proximity to southern India may have been making the air a little drier in that part of Maha.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Maha will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few days.  Maha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move underneath the axis of an upper level ridge running east to west over India and the eastern Arabian Sea.  The upper level winds will be weak and there will not be a lot of vertical wind shear during the next day or two.  Tropical Cyclone Maha will continue to intensify and it is forecast to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.  Maha could strengthen more quickly once an inner core with an eye and an eyewall develop.

The middle portion of the upper level ridge will steer Tropical Cyclone Maha toward the northwest during the next 48 hours.  When Maha reaches the northern Arabian Sea a second ridge of high pressure over South Asia will steer the tropical cyclone toward the west.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Maha will move parallel to the west coast of India.

Elsewhere over the Arabian Sea, Tropical Cyclone Kyarr was weakening rapidly southeast of Oman.  The circulation pulled drier air from the Arabian peninsula into the core of Kyarr and most of the thunderstorms dissipated when the drier air reached them.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Kyarr was located at latitude 18.3°N and longitude 60.7°E which put it about 190 miles (305 km) southeast of Masirah Island, Oman.  Kyarr was moving toward the southwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 987 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Kyarr Weakens East of Oman

Tropical Cyclone Kyarr weakened east of Oman on Tuesday.  At 11:00 EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Kyarr was located at latitude 19.5°N and longitude 62.0°E which put it about 220 miles (355 km) east-southeast of Masirah Island, Oman.  Kyarr was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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. (230 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 954 mb.

The structure of the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Kyarr exhibited less organization on Tuesday.  The southwestern part of the ring of thunderstorms around the eye weakened.  In addition, bands of showers and thunderstorms in the western half of Kyarr also weakened.  Two factors seemed to be contributing to the weakening trend.  Tropical Cyclone Kyarr moved slowly during the last 24 to 36 hours.  The circulation mixed cooler water to the upper levels of the Arabian Sea and Kyarr was not able to extract as much energy from the water.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Kyarr may have pulled drier air from the Arabian peninsula into the western half of the circulation.  Even though Kyarr weakened on Tuesday. winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Kyarr will probably continue to weaken during the next several days.  Kyarr will move away from the cooler water it mixed to the surface and it will be in an area where there will not be a lot of vertical wind shear.  However, Tropical Cyclone Kyarr is likely to draw more drier air into the circulation.  The drier air will make it more difficult for thunderstorms to develop in rainbands around the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Kyarr will move south of a ridge of high pressure over southwest Asia.  The high is forecast to strengthen during next several days.  When the high strengthens it will steer Kyarr toward the southwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Kyarr will move parallel to the coast of Oman.  Kyarr could approach Socotra Island and Somalia in four or five days.

Intense Tropical Cyclone Kyarr Moves Toward Oman

Intense Tropical Cyclone Kyarr moved toward Oman on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Kyarr was located at latitude 18.3°N and longitude 65.2°E which put it about 460 miles (745 km) east-southeast of Masirah Island, Oman.  Kyarr was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 932 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Kyarr remained very symmetrical on Sunday.  Microwave satellite images seemed to indicate that there were two symmetric eye eyewalls surrounding the center of Kyarr.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the larger core of Tropical Cyclone Kyarr.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone in all directions.

The formation of a second, outer eyewall caused the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Kyarr to increase in size.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Kyarr was 31.6.  The Hurricane  Size Index (HSI) was 19.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 50.7.

The formation of concentric eyewalls indicated that an eyewall replacement cycle was in progress.  Tropical Cyclone Kyarr will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Even though Kyarr will move through an environment favorable for strong tropical cyclones, it will likely weaken while the inner eyewall dissipates.

Tropical Cyclone Kyarr will move south of a ridge of high pressure over South Asia.  The ridge will steer Kyarr in a westward direction during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Kyarr could approach the coast of Oman in three or four days.

Tropical Cyclone Kyarr Strengthens to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane over Arabian Sea

Tropical Cyclone Kyarr strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Arabian Sea on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Kyarr was located at latitude 16.9°N and longitude 68.6°E which put it about 705 miles (1135 km) east-southeast of Masirah Island, Oman.  Kyarr was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 944 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Kyarr intensified rapidly into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the past 36 hours.  A small eye formed at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Kyarr.  Storms near the core of Kyarr were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone in all directions.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Kyarr was very symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.1 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 40.2.

Tropical Cyclone Kyarr will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 to 24 hours.  Kyarr will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Kyarr could strengthen during the next 24 hours.  An inner rainband could wrap around the eye and eyewall at some point.  That would start an eyewall replacement cycle which would cause Kyarr to weaken.

Tropical Cyclone Kyarr will move south of a ridge of high pressure over South Asia.  The ridge will steer Kyarr toward the west during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Kyarr will move toward Oman.

Tropical Cyclone Forms Southwest of Mumbai

A tropical cyclone formed southwest of Mumbai, India on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone 04A was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 71.3°E which put it about 200 miles (320 km) southwest of Mumbai, India.  It was moving toward the north at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 997 mb.

A distinct low level center of circulation formed within a broad area of low pressure over the Arabian Sea west of India.  Thunderstorms were developing near the low level center.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were forming and the bands began to revolve around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center started to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone 04A will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 to 72 hours.  It will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  The tropical cyclone will move through a region where the upper level wind are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone 04A will continue to intensify and it is likely to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon within 24 to 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone 04A will move south of a high pressure system that extends from India across the northern Arabian Sea.  The high will steer the tropical cyclone in a west-northwesterly direction.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone 04A should start to move away from India during the next 24 hours.  The tropical cyclone could approach Oman in about five days

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa Makes Landfall on Central Coast of Oman

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa made landfall on the central coast of Oman near Duqm on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hikaa was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 56.4°W which put it about 85 miles (135 km) west of Duqm, Oman.  Hikaa was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 981 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa was the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it made landfall on the central coast of Oman.  Hikaa brought wind and rain to Masirah Island before it reached the coast of Oman.  Tropical Cyclone Hikaa brought strong winds and locally heavy rain to the coast near Duqm when it made landfall.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Hikaa was small.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  The small size of Hikaa will limit the potential for serious damage to locations close to the track of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa will drop heavy rain over portions of east-central Oman.  The rain could be heavy enough to cause flash floods in some locations.  Hikaa will weaken quickly as it moves into the drier environment over central Oman.  The small circulation around Tropical Cyclone Hikaa means that it will spin down fairly quickly now that it is over land.

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon East of Oman

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa rapidly intensified into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the northern Arabian Sea east of Oman on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hikaa was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 61.7°E which put it about 225 miles (365 km) east of Masirah Island.  Hikaa was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 975mb.

Tropical Storm Hikaa intensified from the equivalent of a minimal tropical storm into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon in 24 hours.  A small eye developed quickly at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Hikaa was very small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 15  miles (25 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa may have reached its peak intensity.  Hikaa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  So, there will be enough energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.  However, the atmospheric conditions will become less favorable.  An upper level ridge over southwestern Asia will produce easterly winds which will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  In addition, the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Hikaa will begin to draw drier air from eastern Africa into the circulation on Tuesday.  Since Hikaa is so small, the tropical cyclone could weaken quickly if the environment becomes less favorable.

The ridge over southwestern Asia will steer Tropical Cyclone Hikaa toward the west.  On its anticipated track Hikaa could approach the coast of Oman near Masirah Island in less than 18 hours.  Tropical Cyclone Hikaa will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the central coast of Oman near Masirah Island.  Heavy rain could cause isolated flash floods.