Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi was approaching northern Madagascar on Friday afternoon.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi was located at latitude 13.1°S and longitude 53.5°E which put the center about 285 miles (460 km) east of Antsiranana, Madagascar.  Dikeledi was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 991 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi intensified on Friday as it approached northern Madagascar.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and northern sides of the center of Dikeledi’s circulation.  An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Dikeledi’s circulation.  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.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi became more symmetrical on Friday.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Dikeledi’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 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 12 hours.  Dikeledi could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

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 reach northern Madagascar in 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Madagascar.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.