Tropical Cyclone Filipo formed over the Mozambique Channel on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Filipo was located at latitude 19.9°S and longitude 38.2°E which put it about 235 miles (380 km) east of Beira, Mozambique. Filipo was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

A low pressure system strengthened over the Mozambique Channel on Sunday and Meteo France La Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Filipo. The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Filipo exhibited more organization on Sunday. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern part of Filipo’s circulation. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern and southern sides of the center of Tropical Cyclone Filipo. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Bands in the western part of Filipo’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles in the eastern side of Tropical Cyclone Filipo. The winds in the western side of Filipo were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Cyclone Filipo will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Filipo 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 Mozambique Channel. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the upper level ridge. Tropical Cyclone Filipo will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Filipo will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Filipo toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Filipo will approach the coast of Mozambique in 24 hours The center of Filipo’s circulation is likely to make landfall between Beira and Inhambane. Tropical Cyclone Filipo will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to eastern Mozambique. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Filipo could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of Mozambique.