Monthly Archives: December 2023

Tropical Cyclone Jasper Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Jasper intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Coral Sea on Thursday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Jasper was located at latitude 14.0°S and longitude 156.6°E which put it about 755 miles (1220 km) east-northeast of Cairns, Australia. Jasper was moving toward the south at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 951 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper continued to strengthen on Thursday and it reached an intensity equivalent to a major hurricane. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) formed at the center of Jasper’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a 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 Jasper. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone in all directions. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Jasper was symmetrical. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Jasper’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 180 miles (290 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Jasper was 22.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 37.3. Tropical Cyclone Jasper was capable of causing regional major damage.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Jasper will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Jasper’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification but the shear may not be enough to stop Jasper from strengthening. Tropical Cyclone Jasper could intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper will move around the northern part of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean east of Australia. The high pressure system will steer Jasper toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Jasper toward the west during the weekend. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Jasper will approach the north coast of Queensland in a few days.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper Strengthens over the Coral Sea

Tropical Cyclone Jasper strengthened over the Coral Sea on Wednesday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Jasper was located at latitude 12.3°S and longitude 156.8°E which put it about 805 miles (1300 km) east-northeast of Cairns, Australia. Jasper was moving toward the southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper strengthened steadily on Wednesday as it moved slowly over the Coral Sea. An eye appeared intermittently at the center of Jasper’s circulation on satellite images. A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounded the intermittent eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Jasper’s circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Jasper increased on Wednesday. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Jasper’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 170 miles (275 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Jasper will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the western part of the axis of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are ridge weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Jasper will intensify during the next 24 hours. Jasper will very likely strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper will move around the northern part of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean east of Australia. The high pressure system will steer Jasper toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Jasper will move slowly toward Australia. Jasper could approach the coast of Queensland in a few days.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Jasper intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the Coral Sea on Tuesday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Jasper was located at latitude 11.0°S and longitude 157.3°E which put it about 205 miles (330 km) west-southwest of Honiara, Guadacanal. Jasper was moving toward the south-southwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 982 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the Coral Sea on Tuesday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Jasper’s circulation. An eye was visible on satellite images at the center of Tropical Cyclone Jasper. A thin 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 Jasper’s circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of mass was causing the surface pressure to decrease.

Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 10 miles (15 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Jasper’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Jasper will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the western part of the axis of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are ridge weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Jasper will intensify during the next 36 hours. Jasper could intensify rapidly after the eye and eyewall are fully developed. Tropical Cyclone Jasper will very likely strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Jasper toward the southwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Jasper will move away from the Solomon Islands. Tropical Cyclone Jasper will continue to produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain in the Solomon Islands until it moves away. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Jasper could approach the coast of Queensland, Australia in a few days.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper Forms Near the Solomon Islands

Tropical Cyclone Jasper formed over the Coral Sea near the Solomon Islands on Monday night. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Jasper was located at latitude 9.6°S and longitude 156.6°E which put it about 230 miles (370 km) west of Honiara, Guadacanal. Jasper was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 996 mb.

A low pressure system over the Coral Sea near the Solomon Islands strengthened during Monday night and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Jasper. The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Jasper was organizing rapidly. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Jasper’s circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of mass was causing the surface pressure to decrease.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the western side of Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the eastern side of Jasper’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Jasper will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the western part of the axis of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are ridge weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Jasper will intensify during the next 36 hours. Jasper will strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon. Tropical Cyclone Jasper could intensify rapidly once an inner core with an eye and an eyewall develop.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Jasper toward the southwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Jasper will move away from the Solomon Islands. Tropical Cyclone Jasper will continue to produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain in the Solomon Islands until it moves away. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Jasper could approach the coast of Queensland, Australia in a few days.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung Brings Wind and Rain to Southeast India

Tropical Cyclone Michaung brought wind and rain to southeast India on Monday night. At 7:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 80.1°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Nellore, India. Michaung was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 987 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung intensified to the threshold of a hurricane/typhoon before the center made landfall on the coast of Andhra Pradesh north of Nellore. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Michaung’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over East Asia. The high pressure system will steer Michaung toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move along the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh. The center of Michaung will pass near Ongole on Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department issued Cyclone Warnings for the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Bands in the northern and western parts of Michaung’s circulation were already dropping rain over northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh. There were reports of flooding in Chennai.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will weaken gradually as the center of circulation remains inland as it moves near the coast of Andhra Pradesh. Michaung will drop heavy rain on parts of Andhra Pradesh as it weakens. Heavy rain could cause additional floods in other locations. Tropical Cyclone Michaung could also cause a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung Intensifies Southeast of Nellore, India

Tropical Cyclone Michaung intensified over the Bay of Bengal southeast of Nellore, India on Monday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung was located at latitude 14.1°N and longitude 80.7°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) southeast of Nellore, India. Michaung was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 987 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung intensified to the threshold of a hurricane/typhoon over the Bay of Bengal southeast of Nellore, India on Monday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Michaung’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Michaung will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal. The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Michaung’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. The western part of Tropical Cyclone Michaung’s circulation will be over southeastern India. Even though almost half of Michaung will be over land, the center of circulation will still be over the Bay of Bengal. Tropical Cyclone Michaung could intensify to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over East Asia. The high pressure system will steer Michaung toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move toward the coast of southeast India. The center of Michaung will approach the coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam in 18 hours. The India Meteorological Department issued Cyclone Warnings for the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Tropical Cyclone Michaung will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southeast India. Bands in the western side of Michaung’s circulation were already dropping rain over northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh. There were reports of flooding in Chennai. Heavy rain could cause additional floods in other locations. Tropical Cyclone Michaung could cause a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Forming over Solomon Islands

A tropical cyclone is forming over the Solomon Islands. The system is currently designated as Invest 92P by the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. At 1:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Invest 92P was located at latitude 8.7°S and longitude 158.3°E which put it about 130 miles (210 km) west-northwest of Honiara, Guadacanal. Invest 92P was moving toward the southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1002 mb.

A low pressure system over the Solomon Islands was gradually becoming better organized on Monday morning. The U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center was designating the system as Invest 92P. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology classified the system as a tropical low. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of the low pressure system. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the low pressure system. The removal of mass was causing the surface pressure to decrease.

The low pressure system will move through an environment favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone during the next 36 hours. The low pressure system will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of the low pressure system. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Invest 92P is very likely to develop into a tropical cyclone during the next 36 hours.

The low pressure system will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Invest 92P toward the southwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, the low pressure system will move away from the Solomon Islands and over the Coral Sea. Invest 92P will continue to produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain in the Solomon Islands until it moves away. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung Strengthens East of Chennai, India

Tropical Cyclone Michaung strengthened over the Bay of Bengal east of Chennai, India on Sunday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung was located at latitude 13.1°N and longitude 81.7°E which put it about 105 miles (165 km) east of Chennai, India. Michaung was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 996 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung strengthened gradually on Sunday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western side of the center of Michaung’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Michaung will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal. The upper level ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Michaung’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Michaung system will intensify during the next 24 hours. Michaung could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over East Asia. The high pressure system will steer Michaung toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move toward the coast of southeast India. The center of Michaung will approach the coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam in 36 hours. The India Meteorological Department issued Cyclone Alerts for the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Tropical Cyclone Michaung will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southeast India. Bands in the western side of Michaung’s circulation were already dropping rain over northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh. Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Michaung could cause a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung Develops over Southwest Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Michaung developed over the southwestern Bay of Bengal on Saturday evening. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung was located at latitude 11.7°N and longitude 82.3°E which put it about 185 miles (300 km) southeast of Chennai, India. Michaung was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 1001 mb.

A low pressure system over the southwestern Bay of Bengal strengthened on Saturday evening and the India Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Michaung. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Michaung’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Michaung.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Michaung will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Michaung’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Michaung system will intensify during the next 24 hours. Michaung could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over East Asia. The high pressure system will steer Michaung toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Michaung will move toward the coast of southeast India. The center of Michaung could be east of Chennai in 24 hours. Tropical Cyclone Michaung will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southeast India. Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations. The India Meteorological Department issued Cyclone Alerts for the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Low Pressure System Forms over Bay of Bengal

A low pressure system formed over the Bay of Bengal on Thursday. The low pressure system was designated as Invest 95B. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of a low pressure system was located at latitude 9.4°N and longitude 86.3°E which put it about 485 miles (780 km) southeast of Chennai, India. The low pressure system was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1008 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the Bay of Bengal exhibited more organization on Thursday evening. The pattern of clouds began to look more like a developing tropical cyclone. More thunderstorms formed in bands around the low pressure system. The bands started to revolve around the center of circulation. Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the low pressure system.

The low pressure system will be in an environment favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone during the next 36 hours. Invest 95B will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. The low pressure system will intensify during the next 36 hours. It is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone.

The low pressure system will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over East Asia. The high pressure system will steer Invest 95B toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, the low pressure system will move toward the coast of southeast India. It could approach the coast as a tropical cyclone by the end of the weekend.