Tropical Cyclone Billy passed south of Cocos Island on Tuesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Billy was located at latitude 17.8°S and longitude 94.8°E which put it about 385 miles (625 km) south-southwest of Cocos Island. Billy was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 986 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Billy maintained its intensity over the South Indian Ocean on Tuesday as it passed south of Cocos Island. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of circulation and an elliptical eye was evident on microwave satellite images. A band of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in the southern part of the ring. A band of strong thunderstorms was south of the center of Billy. Bands in the other parts of the tropical cyclone consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the southern half of Tropical Cyclone Billy. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) in the northern half of the circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Billy will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next several days. Billy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. It will move north of an upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean. The trough will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Billy’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. There will be drier air north and west of Tropical Cyclone Billy. The drier air will also inhibit intensification. A combination of moderate vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Tropical Cyclone Billy to weaken gradually during the next several days.

Tropical Cyclone Billy will move around the northern part of a high pressure system centered west of Australia. The high pressure system will steer Billy toward the west-southwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Billy will move farther away from Cocos Island.