Tropical Cyclone Hamoon Forms over Northern Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Hamoon formed over the northern Bay of Bengal on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 87.6°E which put it about 390 miles (630 km) southwest of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Hamoon was moving toward the north-northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1000 mb.

A low pressure system over the northern Bay of Bengal intensified on Monday morning and the India Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Hamoon. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Hamoon’s circulation. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern half of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon. Bands in the southern half of Hamoon’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical cyclone.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the northern side of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the southern part of Hamoon’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Hamoon will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Hamoon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over India. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Hamoon’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be strong enough to prevent some intensification. Tropical Cyclone Hamoon could intensify during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough over India will steer Tropical Cyclone Hamoon toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Hamoon will move toward Bangladesh. Hamoon will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Bangladesh later this week. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.