Tropical Cyclone Chenge passed just to the south of Diego Garcia on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Chenge was located at latitude 8.5°S and longitude 69.5°E which put the center about 200 miles (320 km) west-southwest of Diego Garcia.  Chenge was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1002 mb.

A low pressure system passing near Diego Garcia strengthened on Saturday and Meteo France La Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Chenge.  Chenge brought gusty winds and rain showers to Diego Garcia.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Cyclone Chenge was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Chenge’s circulation.  The bands in the eastern part of Tropical Cyclone Chenge consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Chenge generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Chenge.

Tropical Cyclone Chenge will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Chenge will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northern side 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 Chenge’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Chenge is likely to intensify on Sunday.

Tropical Cyclone Chenge will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Chenge toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Chenge will move farther away from Diego Garcia.