Tropical Cyclone 04B formed over the northern Bay of Bengal on Thursday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone 04B was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 89.5°E which put it about 175 miles (280 km) southeast of Kolkata India. The tropical cyclone was moving toward the west-northwest 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 992 mb.

Tropical Cyclone 04B developed over the northern Bay of Bengal southeast of Koklata, India on Thursday afternoon. The distribution of thunderstorms around the tropical cyclone was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and western parts of the circulation. Bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Cyclone 04B consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level ridge over southern Asia was producing easterly winds that were blowing toward the top of the tropical cyclone’s circulation. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was contribution to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone 04B.

Tropical Cyclone 04B will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. The tropical cyclone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. However, the upper level ridge over southern Asia will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Cyclone 04B could intensify during the next 12 hours, if the upper level winds do not get any stronger.

Tropical Cyclone 04B will move south of a high pressure system over southern Asia. The high pressure system will steer the tropical cyclone toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone 04B could be south of Kolkata in 12 hours. It could make landfall on the coast of India southwest of Kolkata in 18 hours. Tropical Cyclone 04B will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the region of India south and west of Kolkata. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.