Tropical Cyclone Dudzai developed over the South Indian Ocean on Saturday night. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Sunday the center of the Tropical Cyclone Dudzai was located at latitude 15.2°S and longitude 77.2°E which put the center about 625 miles (1005 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia. Dudzai was moving toward the southeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 994 mb.
A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean south-southeast of Diego Garcia strengthened on Saturday night and Meteo France La Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Dudzai.
Tropical Cyclone Dudzai appeared to be intensifying rapidly on Sunday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Dudzai’s circulation. A small eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Cyclone Dudzai. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Dudzai’s circulation. Storms near the core of Dudzai 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 Dudzai was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Dudzai’s circulation.
Tropical Cyclone Dudzai will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dudzai will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Dudzai will intensify during the next 24 hours. Dudzai could intensify rapidly. Tropical Cyclone Dudzai is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.
Tropical Cyclone Dudzai will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dudzai toward the southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Dudzai will move farther away from Diego Garcia.