Tropical Cyclone Grant intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Saturday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 12.4°S and longitude 86.3°E which put the center about 1030 miles (1660 km) east-southeast of Diego Garcia. Grant was moving toward the west-southwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 986 mb.
Tropical Cyclone Grant continued to intensify slowly on Saturday. The circulation around Grant became more symmetrical. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Grant’s circulation. Storms near the center of Grant generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease slowly.
The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Grant continued to be small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Grant’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant.
Tropical Cyclone Grant will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Grant 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 the South Indian Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Grant is likely to continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Cyclone Grant will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Grant toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Grant will pass south of Diego Garcia in three days.