Tropical Cyclone Charlotte developed quickly over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Charlotte was located at latitude 14.9°S and longitude 111.5°E which put it about 550 miles (890 km) north-northwest of Learmonth,, Australia. Charlotte was moving toward the southwest at 15 m.p.h (24 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 985 mb.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia strengthened quickly on Sunday and the Australia Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Charlotte. The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Charlotte organized rapidly. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of circulation and an eye appeared to be forming. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Charlotte’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Charlotte will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Charlotte is likely to continue to intensify rapidly during the next 24 hours. Charlotte is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Charlotte toward the west-southwest. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move parallel to the coast of Western Australia during the next 24 hours. Charlotte will remain well away from the coast on Monday.