Tropical Cyclone Halima weakened over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia on Wednesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Halima was located at latitude 19.3°S and longitude 83.4°E which put it about 1110 miles (1790 km) southeast of Diego Garcia. Halima was moving toward the east-northeast at 9 m.p.h (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Halima weakened gradually southeast of Diego Garcia on Wednesday. Even though it weakened, the circulation around Halima remained organized. A band of thunderstorms wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of Tropical Cyclone Halima. Other thunderstorms formed in bands in the eastern half of Halima’s circulation. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Wind to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 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, an upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean will produce west-northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Halima’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification of Tropical Cyclone Halima during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Halima will move around the southeastern part of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Halima toward the east-northeast. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Halima will remain far southeast of Diego Garcia during the next 24 hours.