A well defined center of circulation developed in the lower levels of an area of thunderstorms near the southwest coast of Madagascar and the system was designated as Tropical Cyclone Fundi.  At 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fundi was located at latitude 22.8°N and longitude 42.9°E which put it about 60 miles west of Toliara, Madagascar.  Fundi was moving toward the southeast at 8 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. and there were gusts to 50 m.p.h.  The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

The environment around Fundi contains some factors that would support intensification and other factors that would inhibit intensification.  It is over warm Sea Surface Temperatures and there is well developed outflow in the upper levels.  Those factors would favor intensification.  However, the center of circulation is very close to the coast of Madagascar and part of the circulation is over land.  Interaction with land will inhibit future intensification.  If the center of circulation remains over the water, then some intensification is possible during the next day or two.  If the center of circulation moves over southern Madagascar, then it will weaken.  Eventually, Fundi will move poleward and encounter colder Sea Surface Temperatures and more vertical wind shear.

A subtropical ridge located east of Fundi is steering the tropical cyclone toward the southeast.  The ridge is expected to continue to steer it toward the southeast or south in the short term.  As Fundi moves farther south, it will begin to encounter upper level westerly winds which will turn it more toward the east.