Tropical Cyclone Ana Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Ana brought wind and rain to northern Mozambique on Monday morning. At 7:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ana was located at latitude 16.4°S and longitude 38.6°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) west of Moma, Mozambique. Ana was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 992 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Ana made landfall on the coast of northern Mozambique between Angoche and Moma on Monday morning. Ana was the equivalent of a tropical storm at the time of landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the eastern side of Ana’s circulation. The strongest winds were occurring over the Mozambique Channel. The winds were weaker over land. Thunderstorms in bands in the western half of Tropical Cyclone Ana were dropping heavy rain over parts of northern Mozambique.

Tropical Cyclone Ana will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Ana toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Ana will move across northern Mozambique and southern Malawi. The center of Ana could pass near Mualama, Mucubela, and Mocuba. Tropical Cyclone Ana will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland. Ana will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to northern Mozambique, southern Malawi and northern Zimbabwe. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Weather conditions over the Mozambique Channel should improve slowly as Tropical Cyclone Ana moves farther inland.