Tropical Cyclone Fabien rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fabien was located at latitude 5.4°S and longitude 7°9.0E which put it about 490 miles (790 km) east-northeast of Diego Garcia. Fabien was moving toward the west-southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 976 mb.

After it strengthened to a tropical cyclone on Sunday morning, Tropical Cyclone Fabien rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon by Sunday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Fabien’s circulation. A small circular eye was forming at the center of Tropical Cyclone Fabien. A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Fabien’s circulation. The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Fabien was small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Fabien. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Fabien will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Fabien will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the northern side of an upper level ridge over the Southeast Indian Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Fabien’s circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Fabien will intensity during the next 36 hours. Fabien is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Fabien will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Southeast Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fabien toward the west-southwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Fabien could pass near Diego Garcia in 48 hours. Fabien is likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it passes near Diego Garcia.