Tropical Cyclone Freddy caused wind and rain in Madagascar on Tuesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy was located at latitude 21.3°S and longitude 46.0°E which put it about 75 miles (120 km) east of Mandabe, Madagascar. Freddy was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.
Tropical Cyclone Freddy produced strong winds and locally heavy rain over the central and southern parts of Madagascar on Tuesday night. The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Freddy remained well organized, even though Freddy had been over Madagascar for about 12 hours. Thunderstorms in well defined bands caused strong winds and dropped locally heavy rain. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of circulation.
Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move toward the west during the next several days. The center of Freddy’s circulation will reach the west coast of Madagascar near Morombe in 12 hours. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will continue to cause strong winds and locally heavy rain over Madagascar on Wednesday. Freddy will continue to weaken while the center of circulation is over land. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move westward across the Mozambique Channel. Freddy could strengthen again once the center is over the Mozambique Channel. Tropical Cyclone Freddy could approach the south coast of Mozambique in 48 hours.