Monthly Archives: February 2023

Tropical Cyclone Judy Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Judy intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon near Vanuatu on Tuesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy was located at latitude 16.1°S and longitude 168.4°E which put it about 150 miles (245 km) north of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Judy was moving toward the south at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 974 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Judy intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon near Pentecost and Ambrym on Tuesday morning. The center of Judy’s circulation was about 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Toak. A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was at the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy. 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 center of Judy’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Judy was small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Judy’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 12.7. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 6.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 19.1.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Judy will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge near Vanuatu. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Judy will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will move around the southwestern end of a high pressure system during the next several days. The high pressure system will steer Judy toward the south during the next 12 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Judy move near Port Vila in 12 hours. The center of Judy will pass near Epi, Efate, Erromango and Tanna.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will produce strong winds and locally heavy rain in Pentecost and Ambrym during the next few hours. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Judy will also cause a storm surge where the wind blows water toward the islands. Strong winds and heavy rain will reach Epi and Efate during the next 12 hours. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force could occur near Port Vila within 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Judy Strengthens near Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Judy strengthened near Vanuatu on Monday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy was located at latitude 14.4°S and longitude 168.4°E which put it about 40 miles (65 km) northeast of Naone, Vanuatu. Judy was moving toward the southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 Judy strengthened over the Southwest Pacific Ocean near Maewo on Monday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern and southern sides of the center of Judy’s circulation. An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Judy’s circulation. 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 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Judy’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Judy will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge near Vanuatu. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Judy will intensify to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will move around the western end of a high pressure system during the next several days. The high pressure system will steer Judy toward the south during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Judy move over Maewo during the next few hours. The center of Judy will also pass near Pentecost, Ambrym, Epi, Efate, Erromango and Tanna. The center of Tropical Cyclone Judy could be near Port Vila in less than 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it moves across Vanuatu. Judy will produce strong winds and locally heavy rain. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Judy will also cause a storm surge where the wind blows water toward the islands.

Tropical Cyclone Judy Forms North of Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Judy formed over the Southwest Pacific Ocean north of Vanuatu on Sunday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy was located at latitude 12.8°S and longitude 170.7°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) southeast of Fatutaka. Judy was moving toward the west-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 999 mb.

A low pressure system over the Southwest Pacific Ocean north of Vanuatu strengthened on Sunday night and the Fiji Meteorological Service designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Judy. Thunderstorms developed near the center of Judy’s circulation. Those thunderstorms began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Other thunderstorms formed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Judy will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge east of Vanuatu. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Judy will intensify during the next 36 hours. Judy could rapidly intensify to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will move around the western end of a high pressure system during the next several days. The high pressure system will steer Judy toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. Judy will move toward the south when it moves around the western end of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Judy could be near Maewo in 24 hours. The center of Judy will pass near Pentecost, Ambrym, Epi, Efate, Erromango and Tanna. The center of Tropical Cyclone Judy could be near Port Vila in 42 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it moves over Vanuatu. Judy will produce strong winds and locally heavy rain. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Judy will also cause a storm surge where the wind blows water toward the islands.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy Drops Heavy Rain on Southern Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Freddy dropped heavy rain on southern Mozambique on Saturday. At 7:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy was located at latitude 22.4°S and longitude 33.5°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Chigubo, Mozambique. Freddy was moving toward the west at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 998 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy dropped heavy rain on parts of southern Mozambique on Saturday. Freddy stalled over southern Mozambique after it moved inland. Even though Tropical Cyclone Freddy weakened after it moved inland, the circulation around Freddy was still well organized. The heaviest rain was falling in bands of thunderstorms in the eastern side of Freddy’s circulation. Persistent heavy rain in some locations was increasing the risk of flash floods. The strongest winds were also occurring in bands of thunderstorms over the Mozambique Channel.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Enala weakened south-southeast of Rodrigues. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Enala was located at latitude 26.6°S and longitude 67.7°E which put it about 545 miles (880 km) south-southeast of Rodrigues. Enala was moving toward the south-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 Freddy Hits Southern Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Freddy hit southern Mozambique on Friday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy was located at latitude 22.6°S and longitude 34.6°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) southwest of Vilankulo, Mozambique. Freddy was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 991 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon before it hit the coast of southern Mozambique on Friday morning. The center of Freddy’s circulation made landfall on the coast about 40 miles (65 km) south of Vilankulo. A circular eye was at the center of circulation. A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move north of a high pressure system over southern Africa. The high pressure system will steer Freddy toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move farther inland over southern Mozambique. The center of Freddy’s circulation will pass near Tesenane and Chigubo. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland. Freddy will produce gusty winds and heavy rain over southern Mozambique. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Enala moved east-southeast of Rodrigues. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Enala was located at latitude 22.6°S and longitude 70.2°E which put it about 495 miles (800 km) east-southeast of Rodrigues. Enala was moving toward the south-southwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 978 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy Strengthens near Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Freddy strengthened near the coast of Mozambique on Thursday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy was located at latitude 22.8°S and longitude 37.1°E which put it about 130 miles (210 km) east-southeast of Vilankulo, Mozambique. Freddy was moving toward the west 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.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy continued to intensify on Thursday evening as it moved closer to the coast of Mozambique. The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Freddy’s circulation. An eye appeared to be forming again at the center of circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy. 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 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Freddy.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 10 hours. Freddy will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over southern Africa. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Freddy’s circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will intensify to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 10 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over southern Africa. The high pressure system will steer Freddy toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Freddy will reach the coast of Mozambique in 10 hours. The center of Freddy will make landfall between Vilankulo and Pomene. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it makes landfall. Freddy will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern Mozambique. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast between Vilankulo and Pomene.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Enala intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon as it moved farther away from Diego Garcia. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Enala was located at latitude 20.3°S and longitude 70.9°E which put it about 870 miles (1405 km) south of Diego Garcia. Enala was moving toward the south-southwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 975 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy Strengthens over Mozambique Channel

Tropical Cyclone Freddy strengthened over the Mozambique Channel on Thursday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy was located at latitude 22.4°S and longitude 38.8°E which put it about 235 miles (380 km) east of Vilankulo, Mozambique. Freddy was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 990 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy strengthened again over warm water in the Mozambique Channel on Thursday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern and southern sides of the center of Freddy’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy. 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 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Freddy.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Freddy will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over southern Africa. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Freddy’s circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will intensify during the next 12 hours. Freddy could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over southern Africa. The high pressure system will steer Freddy toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Freddy will approach the coast of Mozambique in 15 hours. The center of Freddy will make landfall near Vilankulo. Tropical Cyclone Freddy could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it makes landfall. Freddy will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern Mozambique. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast near Vilankulo.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Enala moved farther away from Diego Garcia. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Enala was located at latitude 17.8°S and longitude 71.7°E which put it about 705 miles (1135 km) south of Diego Garcia. Enala was moving toward the south-southwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 987 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy Moves over the Mozambique Channel

Tropical Cyclone Freddy moved over the Mozambique Channel on Wednesday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy was located at latitude 22.1°S and longitude 40.5°E which put it about 350 miles (565 km) east of Vilankulo, Mozambique. Freddy was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 Freddy weakened to the equivalent of a tropical depression during its passage across Madagascar. The former eye and eyewall dissipated during the trip across Madagascar. New thunderstorms formed in bands revolving around the center of Freddy’s circulation after the center moved over the warm water in the Mozambique Channel. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that started to pump mass away from the tropical cyclone again.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Freddy will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over southern Africa. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Freddy’s circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over southern Africa. The high pressure system will steer Freddy toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Freddy will approach the coast of Mozambique in a little over 24 hours. The center of Freddy could make landfall between Vilankulo and Mambone near Macovane. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern Mozambique. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Enala developed south of Diego Garcia. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Enala was located at latitude 16.3°S and longitude 72.9°E which put it about 605 miles (975 km) south of Diego Garcia. Enala was moving toward the southwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 990 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy Causes Wind and Rain in Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Freddy caused wind and rain in Madagascar on Tuesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy was located at latitude 21.3°S and longitude 46.0°E which put it about 75 miles (120 km) east of Mandabe, Madagascar. Freddy was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 978 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy produced strong winds and locally heavy rain over the central and southern parts of Madagascar on Tuesday night. The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Freddy remained well organized, even though Freddy had been over Madagascar for about 12 hours. Thunderstorms in well defined bands caused strong winds and dropped locally heavy rain. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move toward the west during the next several days. The center of Freddy’s circulation will reach the west coast of Madagascar near Morombe in 12 hours. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will continue to cause strong winds and locally heavy rain over Madagascar on Wednesday. Freddy will continue to weaken while the center of circulation is over land. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move westward across the Mozambique Channel. Freddy could strengthen again once the center is over the Mozambique Channel. Tropical Cyclone Freddy could approach the south coast of Mozambique in 48 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy Hits Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Freddy hit the east coast of Madagascar on Tuesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy was located at latitude 20.9°S and longitude 48.8°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Mananjary, Madagascar. Freddy was moving toward the west-southwest at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 956 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy hit the east coast of Madagascar between Nosy Varika and Mananjary on Tuesday. A small eye with a diameter of 7 miles (11 km) was at the center of Freddy’s circulation. A ring of 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 Freddy.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Freddy was very symmetrical. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Freddy’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Freddy was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 31.5. Tropical Cyclone Freddy was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Sally, when Sally hit the south coast of Alabama in 2020. Freddy was capable of causing regional major damage.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move west-southwest across Madagascar during the next 24 hours. The center of Freddy will pass near Fianarantsoa in a few hours. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will bring strong gusty winds to central and southern Madagascar. Freddy will be capable of causing major wind damage. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will also drop locally heavy rain. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy will weaken steadily as it moves across Madagascar. The center of Freddy’s circulation will move over the Mozambique Channel on Wednesday. Tropical Cyclone Freddy could strengthen again when it moves over the Mozambique Channel. Freddy could approach the coast of southern Mozambique later this week.