Tropical Cyclone Indusa strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean east of Rodrigues on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Indusa was located at latitude 18.5°S and longitude 71.3°E which put the center about 535 miles (655 km) east of Port Mathurin, Rodrigues.  Indusa was moving toward the south-southwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 987 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Indusa strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Friday.  the inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Indusa’s circulation.  Some satellite images showed indications that a small circular eye could be forming at the center of Tropical Cyclone Indusa.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Indusa’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Indusa generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Tropical Cyclone Indusa.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) in the eastern half of Indusa’s circulation.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Indusa continued to be small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Indusa’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Indusa will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Indusa 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 that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Indusa’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Indusa could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.  Indusa is likely to start to weaken when it moves over colder water later in the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Indusa will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Indusa toward the south during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Indusa will move farther away from Rodrigues on Saturday.