Tropical Cyclone Dovi brought wind and rain to parts of Vanuatu on Wednesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi was located at latitude 20.5°S and longitude 169.4°E which put it about 260 miles (420 km) east-northeast of Noumea, New Caledonia. Dovi was moving toward the southeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 991 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi brought gusty winds and rain to southern Vanuatu on Wednesday morning. The center of Dovi’s circulation was southwest of Aneityum. Bands on the northern side of Tropical Cyclone Dovi also brought wind and rain to Erromango and Tanna. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Dovi’s circulation, which could represent the initial stage in the formation of an eyewall. Most of the thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in bands in the northern half of Tropical Cyclone Dovi. Bands in the southern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the northern half of Dovi’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southern half of the circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dovi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge centered east of New Caledonia. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will some moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Dovi will intensify during the next 24 hours and it could strengthen rapidly if an inner core with an eye and an eyewall devlops.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dovi toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move slowly away from Vanuatu. Weather conditions will gradually improve as Dovi moves away. Tropical Cyclone Dovi will be near the Loyalty Islands in 12 hours. The center could pass near Mare. Dovi will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Ouvea, Lifou and Mare. The center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi could be near Ile des Pins in 24 hours. Dovi will begin to affect southern New Caledonia during the next 24 hours.