Tropical Cyclone Dudzai rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean on Sunday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of the Tropical Cyclone Dudzai was located at latitude 16.1°S and longitude 77.5°E which put the center about 700 miles (1125 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia.  Dudzai was moving toward the south-southeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Dudzai rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Sunday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Dudzai’s circulation.  A small circular eye formed 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 rapidly.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Dudzai was small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Dudzai’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Dudzai.

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 continue to intensify rapidly during the next few hours.  Tropical Cyclone Dudzai could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

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 south during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Dudzai will move farther away from Diego Garcia.