Tropical Cyclone Hamoon rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the northern Bay of Bengal on Monday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 89.5°E which put it about 230 miles (390 km) southwest of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Hamoon was moving toward the northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 985 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Hamoon rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the northern Bay of Bengal on Monday evening. A small circular eye formed at the center of Hamoon’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Hamoon. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Hamoon was small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Hamoon’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Hamoon was 11.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 22.3. Tropical Cyclone Hamoon was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Isaias when Isaias hit North Carolina in 2020.

Tropical Cyclone Hamoon will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 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 additional intensification. Tropical Cyclone Hamoon could intensify during the next 12 hours. The upper level southwesterly winds will get stronger later on Tuesday. The stronger upper level winds will increase the vertical wind shear. Hamoon could start to weaken when the wind shear increases.

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 approach the coast of Bangladesh in 24 hours. Hamoon will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Bangladesh. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Hamoon could cause a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coast of Bangladesh.