Tropical Cyclone Burevi Strengthens East of Sri Lanka

Tropical Cyclone Burevi strengthened over the Bay of Bengal east of Sri Lanka on Tuesday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Burevi was located at latitude 8.0°N and longitude 84.4°E which put it about 220 miles (350 km) east of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. Burevi was moving toward the northwest 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. (110 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

A former tropical depression over the Bay of Bengal east of Sri Lanka strengthened into Tropical Cyclone Burevi on Tuesday. More thunderstorms formed close to the center of circulation. More thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of Burevi. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles from the center of Tropical Cyclone Burevi.

Tropical Cyclone Burevi will move through a region favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Burevi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. It will move under the eastern end of an upper level ridge centered over India. The upper winds will be weaker during the next day or so and there will be less vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Burevi will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Burevi will move south of a high pressure system over India and the Bay of Bengal. The high will steer Burevi toward the west-northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Burevi will approach northern Sri Lanka in about 24 hours. Burevi will bring gusty winds to the northeast coast of Sri Lanka and the coastal waters around southern India. Tropical Cyclone Burevi will drop heavy rain over parts of Sri Lanka and southern India. Flash floods could occur in portions of Sri Lanka, southern Tamil Nadu and southern Kerala.