A tropical cyclone formed over the Arabian Sea on Tuesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone 02A was located at latitude 12.0°N and longitude 66.0°E which put it about 755 miles (1220 km) southeast of Masirah Island. The tropical cyclone was moving toward the north at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 985 mb.

A low pressure system over the Arabian Sea strengthened quickly into Tropical Cyclone 02A during Monday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped part way around the center of the tropical cyclone’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone 02A. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone 02A will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical cyclone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Arabian Sea. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone 02A will intensify during the next 24 hours. It is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone 02A will move around the northwestern side of a high pressure system over the Indian Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer the tropical cyclone slowly toward the north. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone 02A will remain over the Arabian Sea during the next few days.