Tropical Cyclone Berguitta strengthened into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Monday as it moved over the South Indian Ocean.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Berguitta was located at latitude 18.1°S and longitude 62.4°E which put it about 375 miles (600 km) east-northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius.  Berguitta was moving toward the southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed is 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 949 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Berguitta quickly intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Monday.  A well formed circular eye developed at the center of circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in the ring.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the circulation.  Storms near the center of Berguitta were generating upper level divergence which was pumping large quantities of mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 35 miles (55 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 215 miles (345 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Berguitta will move through an environment supportive of a strong tropical cyclone for several more days.  Berguitta will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It is moving through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Berguitta is likely to maintain its intensity as the equivalent of a major hurricane and it could intensify further during the next day or two.

Tropical Cyclone Berguitta is moving near the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering the tropical cyclone toward the southwest.  A general motion toward the southwest is forecast to continue for two or three more days.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Berguitta could reach Mauritius within 48 hours.  Berguitta could reach La Reunion in less than 72 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Berguitta is a dangerous storm.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Berguitta is 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 14.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 34.7.  Those indices indicate that Tropical Cyclone Berguitta is capable of causing regional major damage.  Berguitta will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Mauritius and La Reunion.  The heavy rain is likely to cause flooding  and Berguitta could generate a storm surge at the coast.