Tropical Cyclone Anggrek meandered over the South Indian Ocean west of Cocos Islands on Friday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 12.7°S and longitude 92.3°E which put it about 305 miles (490 km) west of Cocos Islands. Anggrek was moving toward the west-southwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek strengthened a little on Friday as it meandered west of Cocos Islands. The inner end of a rainband was wrapped around the western and northern sides of the center of Anggrek’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of Anggrek’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Anggrek will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Anggrek’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear could prevent Tropical Cyclone Anggrek from strengthening during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move around the northern part of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Anggrek toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will gradually move farther west of Cocos Islands.