Tropical Cyclone Bakung formed over the South Indian Ocean north of the Cocos Islands on Friday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Bakung was located at latitude 8.7°S and longitude 94.9°E which put the center about 270 miles (435 km) north-northwest of the Cocos Islands. Bakung was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.
A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean strengthened on Friday and the system was designated as Tropical Cyclone Bakung.
More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Cyclone Bakung on Friday. More thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of Bakung’s circulation. Storms near the center of Bakung started to generate 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 Bakung was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Bakung’s circulation.
Tropical Cyclone Bakung will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Bakung will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over northern Australia. The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Bakung’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Bakung will intensify during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Cyclone Bakung will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system tat is over Australia. The high pressure will steer Bakung toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Bakung will move farther away from the Cocos Islands during the weekend.