Tropical Cyclone Chido strengthened over the South Indian Ocean east of northern Madagascar on Monday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Chido was located at latitude 10.6°S and longitude 59.3°E which put the center about 680 miles (1095 km) east of Antsiranana, Madascar.  Chido was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Chido strengthened over the South Indian Ocean east of northern Madagascar on Tuesday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western side of the center of Chido’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Chido.  Storms near the center of Chido generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Cyclone Chido became more symmetrical on Tuesday when Chido strengthened.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Chido’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Chido will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Chido will move over water where 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 Chido’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Chido will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Chido is likely to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Wednesday.

Tropical Cyclone Chido will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Chido toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Chido will move toward northern Madagascar.  The center of Chido will approach northern Madagascar on Friday.