Tropical Cyclone Fytia moved to the east of Madagascar on Sunday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fytia was located at latitude 20.7°S and longitude 50.7°E which put the center about 145 miles (235 km) southeast of Toamasina, Madagascar. Fytia was moving toward the southeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 995 mb.
Tropical Cyclone Fytia started to intensify again after it moved over the Southwest Indian Ocean east of Madagascar on Sunday. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Fytia’s circulation. More thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Fytia. Storms near the center of Fytia generated more upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and east of the tropical cyclone.
The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Fytia was still small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Fytia’s circulation.
Tropical Cyclone Fytia will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Fytia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge that is over La Reunion and Mauritius. The upper level ridge will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Fytia’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Fytia will intensify during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Cyclone Fytia will move around the southwestern side of a high pressure system that is over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fytia toward the southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Fytia continue to move away from Madagascar. Fytia will pass south of La Reunion and Mauritius later this week.