Tropical Cyclone Gombe strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon east of Mozambique on Thursday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gombe was located at latitude 15.9°S and longitude 41.7°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) east of Mogincual, Mozambique. Gombe was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h (13 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 971 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the Mozambique Channel on Thursday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern, western and northern sides of the center of Gombe. The band had not yet wrapped completely around the eastern side of the center of circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in the band around the center. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Gombe. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Gombe. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the enter of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Gombe will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Gombe will intensify during the next 12 hours. Tropical Cyclone Gombe could intensify more rapidly once an inner core with an eye and an eyewall is fully formed. There is a chance Gombe could rapidly intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Gombe toward the west. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gombe could reach the northeastern coast of Mozambique between Lumbo and Angoche within 18 hours. Gombe will be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it reaches the coast of Mozambique. Tropical Cyclone Gombe will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northeastern Mozambique. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Gombe will also cause a storm surge along the coast.