Tropical Cyclone Darian formed over the South Indian Ocean west of Cocos Islands on Sunday. At 7:00 a.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Darian was located at latitude 11.9°S and longitude 92.8°E which put it about 270 miles (440 km) west of Cocos Islands. Darian was moving toward the southwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 993 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean west of Cocos Islands strengthened on Sunday and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Darian. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of Darian’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Darian.

Tropical Cyclone Darian will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Darian will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Darian will intensify during the next 36 hours. Darian could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Darian will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system centered north of Australia. The high pressure system will steer Darian slowly toward the southeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Darian will pass southwest of Cocos Islands.