Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi was passing north of Mauritius on Thursday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thussday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi was located at latitude 13.5°S and longitude 59.4°E which put the center about 485 miles (785 km) north-northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius.  Dikeledi was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi strengthened gradually as it moved over the South Indian Ocean north-northeast of Mauritius on Thursday.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Dikeledi’s circulation.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Dikeledi.  Storms near the center of Dikeledi generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi was asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southern half of Dikeledi’s circulation.  The winds in the northern half of Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dikeledi 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 Dikeledi’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Dikeledi could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon within 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer DIkeledi toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi will approach northern Madagascar in 36 hours.