Monthly Archives: March 2022

Depression Forms over Bay of Bengal

A depression formed over the Bay of Bengal on Friday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of the depression was located at latitude 9.4°N and longitude 83.4°E which put it about 320 miles (515 km) southeast of Chennai India. It was moving toward the north-northwest at 7 m.p.h (11 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 1000 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the Bay of Bengal strengthened on Friday morning and the system was classified as a depression by the India Meteorological Department. More thunderstorms develop near the enter of the depression. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the depression.

The depression will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It 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 inhibit intensification. The depression is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours unless the upper level winds get stronger.

The depression will move south of a high pressure system centered over southeast Asia. The high pressure system will steer the depression slowly toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the depression will remain northeast of Sri Lanka and it will move closer to southern India.

Tropical Cyclone Anika Makes Landfall near Wallal Downs

Tropical Cyclone Anika made landfall near Wallal Downs, Australia on Wednesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anika was located at latitude 20.1°S and longitude 120.6°E which put it about 20 miles (30 km) southwest of Wallal Downs, Australia. Anika was moving toward the south-southwest at 5 m.p.h (8 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 994 mb.

A Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Sandfire to Pardoo.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Anika made another landfall on the coast of Western Australia just to the west of Wallal Downs on Wednesday morning. Anika strengthened as it approached the coast. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Anika’s circulation. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and eastern sides of the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (90 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Anika.

Tropical Cyclone Anika will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia during the next 36 hours. The high will steer Anika toward the south-southeast. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Anika will move inland over Western Australia. The center of Anika could pass west of Telfer on Thursday. Tropical Cyclone Anika will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rains to parts of Western Australia. A Flood Warning is in effect for the Sandy Desert. Flood Watches are in effect for the Fitzroy River and the De Grey River. Anika will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland.

Tropical Cyclone Anika Strengthens near Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Anika strengthened near the coast of Western Australia on Tuesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anika was located at latitude 19.1°S and longitude 121.1°E which put it about 70 miles (110 km) southwest of Bidyadanga, Australia. Anika was moving toward the southwest at 9 m.p.h (15 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 997 mb.

A Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Bidyadanga to Pardoo.

Tropical Cyclone Anika strengthened a little near the coast of Western Australia southwest of Bidyadanga on Tuesday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of Anika. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center 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 center of Tropical Cyclone Anika.

Tropical Cyclone Anika will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Australia during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Anika toward the south-southwest during the next 12 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Anika could make landfall on the coast of Western Australia near Wallal Downs in less than 12 hours. The high pressure system will steer Anika toward the south-southeast after it makes landfall.

Tropical Cyclone Anika will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Anika will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through are region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Anika could strengthen during the next 12 hours. Anika will start to weaken after the center moves back over land.

Tropical Cyclone Anika will continue to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the coast of Western Australia. A Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Bidyadanga to Pardoo. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Flood Watches are in effect for the Fitzroy River, the De Grey River and the Sandy Desert.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Vernon continued to churn southeast of Diego Garcia. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Vernon was located at latitude 17.9°S and longitude 84.4°E which put it about 1095 miles (1765 km) southeast of Diego Garcia. Vernon was moving toward the southwest 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 994 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anika Moves Back over Water

The center of Tropical Cyclone Anika moved back over water on Monday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anika was located at latitude 16.7°S and longitude 122.5°E which put it about 85 miles (140 km) north of Broome, Australia. Anika was moving toward the west-southwest at 8 m.p.h (13 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 997 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Anika moved back over water near Beagle Bay on Monday night. New thunderstorms began to develop near the center of Anika after the center moved back over water. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands southwest of the center of circulation and northeast of the center. Bands in other parts of Tropical Cyclone Anika consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Anika began to generated more upper level divergence.

Tropical Cyclone Anika will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Anika toward the southwest during that time period. Anika will move toward the south after it reaches the western end of the high pressure system in 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Anika could make landfall on the coast of Western Australia between Bidyadanga and De Grey in 42 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Anika will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Anika will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through are region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Anika will strengthen during the next 24 hours. However a portion of Anika’s circulation will still be over land, which will inhibit intensification.

Tropical Cyclone Anika will continue to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the coast of Western Australia. A Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Beagle Bay to Bidyadanga. The Warning includes Broome. A Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Bidyadanga to De Grey. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Flood Watches are in effect for the Fitzroy River, the De Grey River and the Sandy Desert.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Vernon continued to spin east-southeast of Diego Garcia. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Vernon was located at latitude 14.6°S and longitude 87.0°E which put it about 1115 miles (1785 km) east-southeast of Diego Garcia. Vernon was moving toward the south-southwest at 4 m.p.h (6 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 994 mb.