Monthly Archives: February 2021

Tropical Cyclone Faraji Weakens Southeast of Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Faraji weakened southeast of Diego Garcia on Friday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Faraji was located at latitude 18.9°S and longitude 80.4°E which put it about 1000 miles (1610 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia. Faraji was moving toward the west-southwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

An upper level low east of Madagascar produced strong northwesterly winds which blew toward the top of Tropical Cyclone Faraji on Friday. Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear and the winds blew the tops of many of the thunderstorms around Faraji. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands southeast of the center of circulation. Bands in the other parts of Tropical Cyclone Faraji consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Faraji.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move into an environment that will be unfavorable for a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. Faraji will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. However, the upper level low east of Madagascar will continue to produce northwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will continue to cause the strong vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Faraji will weaken during the next 48 hours..

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move around the northern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high will steer Faraji toward the west during the next few days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Faraji will pass well to the south of Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji Churns Southeast of Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Faraji churned southeast of Diego Garcia on Wednesday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Faraji was located at latitude 16.0°S and longitude 84.7°E which put it about 1060 miles (1710 km) southeast of Diego Garcia. Faraji was moving toward the south-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

After intensification to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday, Tropical Cyclone Faraji weakened gradually during the past 48 hours. Even though Faraji weakened, the circulation around the tropical cyclone remained very well organized. A small circular eye was apparent on infrared satellite images. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms near the core of the circulation generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km from the center of Faraji.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move into an environment that will become less favorable for a strong tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. Faraji will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. An upper level trough east of Madagascar will move toward Tropical Cyclone Faraji. The approaching trough will produce northwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause the wind vertical wind shear to increase. More vertical wind shear will likely cause Faraji to weaken during the next 48 hours..

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move around the northern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high will steer Faraji toward the west during the next few days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Faraji will pass well to the south of Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Faraji intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the South Indian Ocean on Monday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Faraji was located at latitude 14.2°S and longitude 82.8°E which put it about 835 miles (1350 km) southeast of Diego Garcia. Faraji was moving toward the east at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 927 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane southeast of Diego Garcia on Monday. A circular eye with a diameter of 23 miles (37 km) was at the center of Faraji. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that rings of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Faraji. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Faraji was very symmetrical. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Faraji. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Faraji was 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 11.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 46.2.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move through an environment capable of supporting a strong tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours. Faraji will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the southeastern Indian Ocean. The winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Faraji will likely continue to be the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 24 hours. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Faraji to weaken.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the southeastern Indian Ocean. The high will steer Faraji toward the east during the next 24 to 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move farther away from Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji Strengthens to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Faraji strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia on Sunday. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Faraji was located at latitude 14.9°S and longitude 80.0°E which put it about 735 miles (1185 km) southeast of Diego Garcia. Faraji was moving toward the east-southeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 Faraji rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the past 24 hours. A circular eye with a diameter of 28 miles (44 km) formed at the center of Faraji. A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of the circulation. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Faraji was very symmetrical. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Faraji. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Faraji was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Index (HWISI) was 33.3.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move through an environment capable of supporting strong tropical cyclones for several more days. Faraji will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the southeastern Indian Ocean. The winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Faraji will likely continue to be the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the southeastern Indian Ocean. The high will steer Faraji toward the east during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move farther away from Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Faraji intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia on Saturday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Faraji was located at latitude 14.8°S and longitude 79.7°E which put it about 710 miles (1145 km) southeast of Diego Garcia. Faraji was moving toward the south at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 973 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji intensified into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Saturday. A small circular eye formed at the center of Faraji. 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 Faraji. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Faraji. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Faraji will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the southeastern Indian Ocean. The winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Faraji will continue to intensify during the next 36 hours. Faragi could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the southeastern Indian Ocean. The high will steer Faraji toward the east during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move farther away from Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji Forms over South Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone Faraji formed over the South Indian Ocean on Friday. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Faraji was located at latitude 12.7°S and longitude 81.2°E which put it about 710 miles (1145 km) east-southeast of Diego Garcia. Faraji was moving toward the south at 6 m.p.h. (10 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.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Faraji was organizing quickly on Friday morning. Numerous thunderstorms developed around the center of circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Faraji. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days. Faraji will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over the southeastern Indian Ocean. The ridge will produce northerly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to inhibit intensification. Tropical Cyclone Faraji will continue to intensify. Faragi could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon within 24 hours. It could intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane within 72 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the southeastern Indian Ocean. The high will steer Faraji toward the south during the next 48 hours. Tropical Cyclone Faraji is likely to move more toward the east next week after it moves around the southwestern part of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track Faraji will move farther away from Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Lucas Brushes New Caledonia

Tropical Cyclone Lucas brushed New Caledonia on Tuesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Lucas was located at latitude 22.2°S and longitude 167.0°E which put it about 75 miles (120 km) east-northeast of Noumea, New Caledonia. Lucas was moving toward the south at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 991 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Lucas brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern New Caledonia on Tuesday night. Lucas weakened before it reached New Caledonia. An upper level trough east of Australia produced strong northwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Tropical Cyclone Lucas. Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear and they blew the tops off of thunderstorms around the center of Lucas. Drier air wrapped around the northern side of the tropical cyclone, which caused some of the outer rainbands to weaken as well. Tropical Cyclone Lucas was the equivalent of a tropical storm when it moved near southern New Caledonia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Lucas.

Since many of the stronger thunderstorms in the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Lucas have weakened, the system will be steered by winds lower in the atmosphere. A high pressure system north of New Zealand will steer Lucas slowly toward the west during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Lucas will continue to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern New Caledonia for another 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Lucas Strengthens to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Lucas strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the Coral Sea on Monday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Lucas was located at latitude 16.1°S and longitude 163.1°E which put it about 495 miles (800 km) north-northeast of Noumea, New Caledonia. Lucas was moving toward the southeast at 22 m.p.h. (35 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 973 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Lucas intensified north of New Caledonia on Monday. A microwave satellite image showed a small eye forming at the center of Lucas. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern and eastern sides of the developing eye. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Lucas. The strongest bands were in the eastern half of the circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the southeast of the tropical cyclone. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Lucas. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 170 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Lucas will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification. Lucas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. An upper level trough east of Australia will produce northwesterly winds which blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and they will inhibit intensification. The vertical wind shear could be strong enough to prevent intensification of Tropical Cyclone Lucas even though it will move over warm water.

Tropical Cyclone Lucas will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system during the next 24 hours. That high pressure system will steer Lucas toward the southeast during the next day or so. A second high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean will start to steer Tropical Cyclone Lucas more toward the south later on Tuesday. On its anticipated track Lucas could approach New Caledonia within 36 hours.