Tropical Cyclone Halima continued to weaken over the South Indian Ocean south of Diego Garcia on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Halima was located at latitude 21.7°S and longitude 80.7°E which put it about 1120 miles (1805 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia. Halima was moving toward the southeast at 8 m.p.h (13 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 996 mb.

An upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean continued to produce northwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Halima’s circulation. Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear caused Tropical Cyclone Halima to continue to weaken. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Halima’s circulation, but the distribution of thunderstorms remained asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Tropical Cyclone Halima. Bands in the northern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Halima will move through an environment that will continue to be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Halima will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. However, the upper level trough will continue to produce moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Halima to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Cyclone Halima toward the east during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Halima will move farther away from Diego Garcia. If the thunderstorms in the southern half of Halima’s circulation dissipate, then the tropical cyclone will only exist in the lower levels of the atmosphere. If that happens, then the winds in the lower levels could turn Tropical Cyclone Halima back toward the north.