Tropical Cyclone Djoungou intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean on Friday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou was located at latitude 16.2°S and longitude 67.1°E which put it about 745 miles (1200 km) south-southwest of Diego Garcia. Djoungou was moving toward the east at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou intensified rapidly over the South Indian Ocean on Friday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Djoungou’s circulation. A small eye was visible intermittently at the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou. The developing eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Djoungou. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Djoungou’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the other parts of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Djoungou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will intensify during the next 36 hours. Djoungou could intensify more rapidly once the eye and eyewall are fully formed. Tropical Cyclone Djoungou could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Djoungou toward the east-southeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will pass south of Diego Garcia in 24 hours.