Monthly Archives: March 2022

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte Develops Quickly Northwest of Australia

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte developed quickly over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Charlotte was located at latitude 14.9°S and longitude 111.5°E which put it about 550 miles (890 km) north-northwest of Learmonth,, Australia. Charlotte was moving toward the southwest at 15 m.p.h (24 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.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia strengthened quickly on Sunday and the Australia Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Charlotte. The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Charlotte organized rapidly. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of circulation and an eye appeared to be forming. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Charlotte’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Charlotte will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Charlotte is likely to continue to intensify rapidly during the next 24 hours. Charlotte is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Charlotte toward the west-southwest. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move parallel to the coast of Western Australia during the next 24 hours. Charlotte will remain well away from the coast on Monday.

Tropical Cyclone Billy Passes South of Cocos Island

Tropical Cyclone Billy passed south of Cocos Island on Tuesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Billy was located at latitude 17.8°S and longitude 94.8°E which put it about 385 miles (625 km) south-southwest of Cocos Island. Billy was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h (19 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 986 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Billy maintained its intensity over the South Indian Ocean on Tuesday as it passed south of Cocos Island. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of circulation and an elliptical eye was evident on microwave satellite images. A band of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in the southern part of the ring. A band of strong thunderstorms was south of the center of Billy. Bands in the other parts of the tropical cyclone consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the southern half of Tropical Cyclone Billy. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) in the northern half of the circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Billy will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next several days. Billy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. It will move north of an upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean. The trough will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Billy’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. There will be drier air north and west of Tropical Cyclone Billy. The drier air will also inhibit intensification. A combination of moderate vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Tropical Cyclone Billy to weaken gradually during the next several days.

Tropical Cyclone Billy will move around the northern part of a high pressure system centered west of Australia. The high pressure system will steer Billy toward the west-southwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Billy will move farther away from Cocos Island.

Tropical Storm Billy Strengthens South-southeast of Cocos Island

Tropical Cyclone Billy strengthened south-southeast of Cocos Island on Monday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Billy was located at latitude 16.8°S and longitude 98.4°E which put it about 330 miles (530 km) south-southeast of Cocos Island. Billy was moving toward the southwest at 12 m.p.h (19 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 983 mb.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean south-southeast of Cocos Island strengthened on Monday and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Billy. An eye was apparent on microwave satellite imagery at the center of Tropical Cyclone Billy earlier on Monday, but the eye was gone by later in the afternoon. A partial ring of thunderstorms surrounded the center of Billy’s circulation and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Billy. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of Billy.

Tropical Cyclone Billy will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Billy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will not be a lot of vertical wind shear. However, there appears to be drier air north and west of Tropical Cyclone Billy. The drier air seems to have been pulled into the core of Billy’s circulation and it may have contributed to the disappearance of the eye on Monday. The drier air will inhibit intensification. Tropical Cyclone Billy could strengthen if more thunderstorms develop around the center of circulation, but the drier air may prevent that from happening.

Tropical Cyclone Billy will move around the northern part of a high pressure system centered west of Australia. The high pressure system will steer Billy toward the west-southwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Billy will pass south of Cocos Island in 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Gombe brought wind and rain to northern Mozambique on Friday. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gombe was located at latitude 15.2°S and longitude 39.8°E which put it about 40 miles (65 km) east of Nampula, Mozambique. Gombe was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 968 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe brought wind and rain to northern Mozambique as it moved farther inland on Friday morning. The circulation around Gombe remained well organized. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Gombe. Thunderstorms in the bands dropped heavy rain over parts of northern Mozambique.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Gombe toward the west. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gombe will continue to move inland over northern Mozambique during the next 24 hours. The center of Gombe will pass near Nampula on Friday. Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move around the northwestern part of the high pressure system on Saturday. Gombe will move back toward the southeast after it moves around the northwestern part of the high pressure system. Tropical Cyclone Gombe could move back over the Mozambique Channel by the end of the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will continue to bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Mozambique. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. The wind and rain could cause serious damage in parts of northern Mozambique. Gombe will continue to weaken as it moves farther inland, but it will be capable of causing widespread electricity outages and disruption of transportation systems.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Gombe rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane near the coast of Mozambique on Thursday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gombe was located at latitude 15.4°S and longitude 40.4°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Mogincual, Mozambique. Gombe was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h (13 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 953 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane just before it made landfall on the northeast coast of Mozambique on Thursday night. The center of Gombe made landfall on the coast between Mogincual and Lumbo. A well formed circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) developed at the center of Gombe’s 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 Gombe. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Gombe. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Gombe toward the west. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move inland over northern Mozambique. The center of Gombe could pass just to the south of Nampula on Friday. Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move around the northwestern part of the high pressure system on Saturday. Gombe will move back toward the southeast after it moves around the northwestern part of the high pressure system. Tropical Cyclone Gombe could move back over the Mozambique Channel by the end of the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Mozambique. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. The wind and rain could cause major damage in parts of northern Mozambique. Gombe will weaken as it moves farther inland, but it will be capable of causing widespread electricity outages.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe Strengthens to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Gombe strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon east of Mozambique on Thursday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gombe was located at latitude 15.9°S and longitude 41.7°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) east of Mogincual, Mozambique. Gombe was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h (13 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 971 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the Mozambique Channel on Thursday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern, western and northern sides of the center of Gombe. The band had not yet wrapped completely around the eastern side of the center of circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in the band around the center. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Gombe. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Gombe. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the enter of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Gombe 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. Tropical Cyclone Gombe will intensify during the next 12 hours. Tropical Cyclone Gombe could intensify more rapidly once an inner core with an eye and an eyewall is fully formed. There is a chance Gombe could rapidly intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Gombe toward the west. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gombe could reach the northeastern coast of Mozambique between Lumbo and Angoche within 18 hours. Gombe will be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it reaches the coast of Mozambique. Tropical Cyclone Gombe will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northeastern Mozambique. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Gombe will also cause a storm surge along the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe Strengthens over Mozambique Channel

Tropical Cyclone Gombe strengthened over the Mozambique Channel on Wednesday morning. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gombe was located at latitude 14.8°S and longitude 45.6°E which put it about 350 miles (560 km) east of Lumbo, Mozambique. Gombe was moving toward the west 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 992 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe began to intensify after if moved over the Mozambique Channel on Tuesday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Gombe. Microwave satellite images indicated that an eye was forming at the center of Gombe’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of 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 Gombe. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the enter of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Gombe 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. Tropical Cyclone Gombe will intensify during the next 48 hours. Gombe could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon within 24 hours. Tropical Cyclone Gombe could intensify more rapidly once an inner core with an eye and an eyewall is fully formed. There is a chance Gombe could rapidly intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Gombe toward the west. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move toward northeastern Mozambique. Gombe could reach the coast of Mozambique in 48 hours. Tropical Cyclone Gombe will be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it approaches the coast of Mozambique.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe Drops Rain on Northern Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Gombe dropped rain on northern Madagascar on Tuesday. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gombe was located at latitude 15.3°S and longitude 49.0°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) west-northwest of Maroantsetra, Madagascar. Gombe was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h (19 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 1001 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe made landfall on the northeastern coast of Madagascar south of Ambohistralanana on Monday night. The circulation around Gombe exhibited much more organization prior to landfall. A well developed center of circulation was apparent on conventional and microwave satellite images. The center of Tropical Cyclone Gombe was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Gombe. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation at the time of landfall. Tropical Cyclone Gombe weakened slowly after it made landfall.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Gombe toward the west. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move across northern Madagascar on Tuesday. Gombe could move over the Mozambique Channel on Wednesday. Tropical Cyclone Gombe will continue to drop locally heavy rain over parts of northern Madagascar. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move through an environment favorable for intensification when it reaches the Mozambique Channel on Wednesday. Gombe 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. Tropical Cyclone Gombe is likely to intensify over the Mozambique Channel. Gombe could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon later this week.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe Forms near Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Gombe formed near Madagascar on Monday afternoon. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gombe was located at latitude 15.6°S and longitude 51.2°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) east of Ambohitralanana, Madagascar. Gombe was moving toward the west-southwest at 6 m.p.h (9 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 near the northeast coast of Madagascar strengthened on Monday afternoon and Meteo France la Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Gombe. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Gombe’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Gombe. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles in the southwestern quadrant of Tropical Cyclone Gombe. The winds were blowing at less than tropical storm force in the rest of Gombe’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Tropical Cyclone Gombe 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. Tropical Cyclone Gombe could intensify during the next few hours. Gombe will weaken after it moves over northern Madagascar.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Gombe toward the west. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gombe will make landfall on the northeast coast of Madagascar south of Ambohitralanana during Monday night. The center could pass near Maroantsetra on Tuesday.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to northern Madagascar. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Gombe could intensify again later this week when it moves over the Mozambique Channel.

Tropical Cyclone 01B Weakens over Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone 01B weakened over the Bay of Bengal on Saturday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone 01B was located at latitude 11.2°N and longitude 82.8°E which put it about 160 miles (260 km) east-southeast of Chennai India. It was moving toward the west 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 1003 mb.

Tropical Cyclone 01B weakened over the southwest Bay of Bengal on Saturday. The inflow around the western side of the tropical cyclone pulled drier air that was over India into Tropical Cyclone 01B. The drier air circulated around the tropical cyclone and it caused many of the thunderstorms to dissipate. A few thunderstorms persisted in a band northeast of the center of circulation. The other bands consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The dissipation of thunderstorms resulted in a circulation that was present only in the lower atmosphere.

Tropical Cyclone 01B will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical cyclone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. However the drier air will continue to inhibit the formation of new thunderstorms. The tropical cyclone will move under the western part of an upper level ridge centered over southeast Asia. The ridge will produce southeast winds that will blow toward the top of the depression. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the shear will also inhibit intensification. Tropical Cyclone 01B is likely to continue to weaken as the circulation spins down. It could bring rain showers to southern India early next week.