Tropical Cyclone Dingani formed over the South Indian Ocean south-southeast of Diego Garcia on Thursday morning. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dingani was located at latitude 16.9°S and longitude 88.6°E which put it about 1305 miles (2110 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia. Dingani was moving toward the west-southwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean strengthened on Thursday morning and Meteo France La Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Dingani. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Cyclone Dingani was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Dingani’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of Dingani consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Tropical Cyclone Dingani was moving under the western end of an upper level ridge over the Southeast Indian Ocean. The upper level ridge was producing northeasterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Dingani’s circulation. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Dingani.

Tropical Cyclone Dingani will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Dingani will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. However, the upper level ridge will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Dingani could strengthen gradually during the next 36 hours, if the upper level winds do not get any stronger. If the upper level winds get stronger, then Dingani will not intensify.

Tropical Cyclone Dingani will move around the northern part of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dingani toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Dingani will pass far south of Diego Garcia.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Freddy moved farther away from Western Australia. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy was located at latitude 15.4°S and longitude 109.3°E which put it about 560 miles (900 km) north-northwest of Learmonth, Australia. Freddy was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.