Tropical Cyclone Halima continued to meander over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Halima was located at latitude 19.4°S and longitude 84.0°E which put it about 1145 miles (1850 km) southeast of Diego Garcia. Halima was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Halima maintained its intensity as it continued to meander over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia on Thursday. The distribution of thunderstorms and wind around Tropical Cyclone Halima was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Halima’s circulation. The strongest winds were also occurring in those bands. Bands in the northern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The winds were weaker on the northern side of Tropical Cyclone Halima. Storms near the center of Halima generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southeast of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the southern half of Tropical Cyclone Halima. Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 15 miles (25 km) on the northern half of Halima.

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 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 north of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure will steer Halima toward the west. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Halima will remain far southeast of Diego Garcia during the next 24 hours.