Tropical Cyclone Faraji intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia on Saturday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Faraji was located at latitude 14.8°S and longitude 79.7°E which put it about 710 miles (1145 km) southeast of Diego Garcia. Faraji was moving toward the south at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 973 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji intensified into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Saturday. A small circular eye formed at the center of Faraji. 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 core of Tropical Cyclone Faraji. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Faraji. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Faraji will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the southeastern Indian Ocean. The winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Faraji will continue to intensify during the next 36 hours. Faragi could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the southeastern Indian Ocean. The high will steer Faraji toward the east during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move farther away from Diego Garcia.