Tag Archives: Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone 05B Forms over Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone 05B formed over the Bay of Bengal on Thursday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone 05B was located at latitude 14.4°N and longitude 85.8°E which put it about 360 miles (580 km) southeast of Visakhapatnam, India. Tropical Cyclone 05B was moving toward the northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

A low pressure system over the central Bay of Bengal strengthened on Thursday night into Tropical Cyclone 05B. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Cyclone 05B was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern half of the tropical cyclone. Bands in the southern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The thunderstorms in the northern half of the circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the tropical cyclone. The distribution of wind speeds was also asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) in the northern half of the tropical cyclone. The winds in the southern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Cyclone 05B will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical cyclone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone 05B is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. The India Meteorological Department will likely give the tropical cyclone a name on Friday.

Tropical Cyclone 05B will move around the western end of a high pressure system over southeast Asia. The high pressure system will steer the tropical cyclone toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone 05B will approach the coast of India northeast of Visakhapatnam in 24 hours. It will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coastal parts of northeastern Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. Tropical Cyclone 05B will move more slowly after it nears the coast and it could turn toward the northeast during the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Yaas Hits Northeast India

Tropical Cyclone Yaas hit northeastern India early on Wednesday. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Yaas was located at latitude 21.8°N and longitude 86.8°E which put it about 115 miles (185 km) southwest of Kolkata, India. Yaas was moving toward the northwest 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 978 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Yaas made landfall on the coast of northeastern India early on Wednesday. The center of Yaas crossed the coastline near Balasore, India. Tropical Cyclone Yaas was the equivalent of a strong tropical storm at the time when it made landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) on the eastern side of Yaas over the northern Bay of Bengal. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) on the western side of the circulation which was over northern Odisha.

Tropical Cyclone Yaas will move slowly toward the northwest over northeastern India during the next day or so. Yaas will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland. Tropical Cyclone Yaas will produce gusty winds over northern Odisha during the next 24 hours. The wind could cause sporadic power outages. Yaas will also drop locally heavy rain over parts of northeastern India and flash floods could occur in some locations. The heaviest rain will fall in the western side of the circulation. Tropical Cyclone Yaas may have caused a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of northern Bay of Bengal. The water level should drop slowly as Yaas moves farther inland and weakens.

Tropical Cyclone Yaas Strengthens to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Yaas strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the northern Bay of Bengal on Tuesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Yaas was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 89.1°E which put it about 195 miles (310 km) south of Kolkata, India. Yaas was moving toward the north at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 972 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Yaas intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon south of Kolkata on Tuesday. A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounded the center of Yaas and the strongest winds were occurring in the storms in the ring. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cylone Yaas. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west and north of the tropical cyclone. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Yaas. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Yaas will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours . Yaas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge centered over Bangladesh. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear may not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Yaas could strengthen gradually during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Yaas will move around the western side of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia. The high will steer the tropical cyclone toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Yaas will make landfall on the coastline of Odisha southwest of Kolkata in 15 hours. Tropical Cyclone Yaas will be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it approaches the coast. Yaas is likely to bring damaging winds and locally heavy rain to the coastal regions of Odisha and West Bengal. Heavy rain could cause flash floods over parts of northeastern India. The coast along the northern Bay of Bengal is very vulnerable to a storm surge. Tropical Cyclone Yaas will cause a dangerous storm surge of up to 9 feet (3 meters) on parts of the coast around the northern Bay of Bengal.

Tropical Cyclone Yaas Intensifies South of Kolkata

Tropical Cyclone Yaas intensified over the northern Bay of Bengal on Monday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Yaas was located at latitude 18.5°N and longitude 88.0°E which put it about 305 miles (495 km) south of Kolkata, India. Yaas was moving toward the north-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 975 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Yaas strengthened to almost the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon south of Kokata on Monday night. The distribution of thunderstorms around Yaas remained asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Tropical Cyclone Yaas. Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of Yaas. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west and north of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Yaas will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Yaas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Yaas will strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Yaas will move around the western side of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia. The high will steer the tropical cyclone toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Yaas will make landfall on the coastline of Odisha southwest of Kolkata in 24 hours. Tropical Cyclone Yaas will be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it approaches the coast. Yaas is likely to bring damaging winds and locally heavy rain to the coastal regions of Odisha and West Bengal. Tropical Cyclone Yaas will cause a dangerous storm surge of up to 9 feet (3 meters) on parts of the coast around the northern Bay of Bengal.

Tropical Cyclone Forms over Bay of Bengal

A tropical cyclone formed over the Bay of Bengal on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of a tropical cyclone was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 89.8°E which put it about 465 miles (750 km) south-southeast of Kolkata, India. The tropical cyclone was moving toward the northeast at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 993 mb.

A low pressure system over the Bay of Bengal strengthened on Sunday night and the system was designated as Tropical Cyclone 02B by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. The circulation around the tropical cyclone was still organizing. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the outer portion of the circulation around the tropical cyclone. The inner end of a rainband began to wrap around the western side of the center of circulation. The circulation around the tropical cyclone was large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation.

The tropical cyclone will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. It will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C. The tropical cyclone will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. The tropical cyclone will intensify during the next 24 hours. It could intensify more rapidly once an inner core with an eye and an eyewall form. The tropical cyclone could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon within 36 hours.

The tropical cyclone will move around the western side of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia. The high will steer the tropical cyclone toward the north-northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track the tropical cyclone could approach the coastline of Odisha and West Bengal in 48 hours. It will likely be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it approaches the coast. The tropical cyclone is likely to bring damaging winds, and locally heavy rain. It will also likely cause a dangerous storm surge on parts of the coast around the northern Bay of Bengal.

Tropical Cyclone Amphan Intensifies Into Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Amphan intensified into equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Bay of Bengal on Monday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Amphan was located at latitude 13.9°N and longitude 86.5°E which put it about 635 miles (1025 km) south-southwest of Kolkata, India.  Amphan was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 909 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Amphan appeared to develop a concentric eyewall structure on Monday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the original small eye and eyewall.  The inner eye had a diameter of 10 miles (16 km).  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the inner eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  An outer eyewall with a diameter of 50 mile (80 km) surrounded the inner eye.    Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the concentric eyewalls.  Storms in the core of Amphan were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone in all directions.

Tropical Cyclone Amphan had a large circulation.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (325 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Amphan was 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI0 was 51.5.  Tropical Cyclone Amphan was capable of causing catastrophic damage.

Tropical Cyclone Amphan will move through an environment very favorable for a strong tropical cyclone during the next 36 hours.  Amphan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  It will move under an upper level ridge where the upper level winds are weak.  There will be little vertical wind shear.  The eyewall replacement cycle will stop the intensification of Tropical Cyclone Amphan.  Amphan will weaken, at least temporarily, when the inner eyewall dissipates.  When that occurs the strongest winds will be occurring in the outer eyewall.  The eyewall replacement cycle could cause the circulation to increase in size.

Tropical Cyclone Amphan will move around the western end of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia.  The high will steer Amphan toward the north-northeast.  On its anticipate track the center of Tropical Cyclone Amphan will approach the coast around the northern Bay of Bengal in 36 hours.  Amphan will be a large dangerous tropical cyclone when it approaches the coast.  Tropical Cyclone Amphan will generate a significant storm surge along the coast of Bangladesh.  Amphan will cause major wind damage.  It will drop locally heavy rain over northeast India and Bangladesh.  Freshwater flooding will occur.

Tropical Cyclone Amphan Rapidly Intensifies Into Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Amphan rapidly intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane over the Bay of Bengal on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Amphan was located at latitude 13.3°N and longitude 86.4°E which put it about 675 miles (1090 km) south-southwest of Kolkata, India.  Amphan was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 919 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Amphan rapidly intensified into a large powerful tropical cyclone on Sunday night.  A small circular eye was at the center of circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Amphan.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone in all directions.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Amphan grew in size on Sunday.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 210 miles (335 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Amphan was 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index was 16.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 48.4.  Tropical Cyclone Amphan was capable of causing widespread significant damage.

Tropical Cyclone Amphan will remain in an environment capable of supporting a strong tropical cyclone during the next 36 to 48 hours.  Amphan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  It will move under an upper level ridge.  The upper level wind will be weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  The ridge will actually enhance the upper level divergence.  If a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Tropical Cyclone Amphan to weaken.  Tropical Cyclone Amphan is likely to remain a large, powerful tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Amphan will move around the western end of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia.  The high will steer Amphan toward the north.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Amphan could approach the coast of Bangladesh in 48 hours.  Amphan is could still be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches Bangladesh.  Tropical Cyclone Amphan could generate a significant storm surge at the coast.  Amphan will cause major wind damage and heavy rain could cause freshwater flooding.

Tropical Cyclone Amphan Strengthens to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Amphan strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Amphan was located at latitude 12.3°N and longitude 86.4°E which put it about 695 miles (1120 km) south-southwest of Kolkata, India.  Amphan was moving toward the north 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 969 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Amphan continued to intensify on Sunday.  A small circular eye with a diameter of 10 miles (16 km) developed at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surround the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Amphan.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone in all directions.  Wins to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Amphan will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 to 48 hours.  Amphan will move over water where Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  It will move under an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal.  The winds in the upper level ridge are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Amphan will continue to intensify and it is likely to strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Amphan will move around the western end of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia.  The high will steer Amphan toward the north during the next 48 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Amphan will approach the coast around the northern Bay of Bengal in less than 72 hours.  Amphan will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northeast India and to Bangladesh.  Tropical Cyclone Amphan is likely to generate a significant storm surge along the northern coast of the Bay of Bengal.

Tropical Cyclone Bulbul Strengthens over Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Bulbul strengthened over the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Bulbul was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 89.9°E which put it about 520 miles (840 km) south of Kolkata, India.  Bulbul was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

A low pressure system that was formerly designated at Tropical Storm Matmo when it was over the South China Sea moved across southeast Asia and over the Bay of Bengal during the past few days.  The low pressure system became nearly stationary west of the Andaman Islands.  More thunderstorms began to develop and bands began to form on Tuesday.  The low pressure system strengthened on Wednesday and the India Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Bulbul.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Bulbul was still organizing on Wednesday night.  More thunderstorms were developing around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Bulbul.  The stronger rainbands were in the western half of the circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Bulbul will move through an area favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours.  Bulbul will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over southeast Asia.  The ridge will produce southerly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Bulbul is likely to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon within 36 to 48 hours.

The ridge over southeast Asia will steer Tropical Cyclone Bulbul toward the north during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Bulbul will approach the coast around the northern Bay of Bengal in two or three days.  Bulbul could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it approaches the coast.

Elsewhere, a much weaker Tropical Cyclone Maha neared the west coast of India.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Maha was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 70.2°E which put it about 75 miles (120 km) southwest of Dui, India.  Maha was moving toward the east-northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.  Tropical Cyclone Maha will drop rain of southern Gujarat on Thursday.

Powerful Tropical Cyclone Fani Makes Landfall in India

Powerful Tropical Cyclone Fani made landfall near Puri, India on Thursday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fani was located at latitude 19.4°N and longitude 85.8°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) south of Puri, India.  Fani was moving toward the north-northeast at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 185 m.p.h. (295 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 922 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Fani is a large dangerous system.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extend out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 225 miles (360 km) from the center over the Bay of Bengal.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Fani is 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 25.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 57.2.  Tropical Cyclone Fani has the potential to cause widespread significant damage.

Tropical Cyclone Fani will cause the greatest wind damage along the northeast coast of Odisha.  It could also produce a significant storm surge along the coast.  The surge will be highest in bays, estuaries and mouths of rivers.  Fani will drop heavy rain over northeast Odisha, West Bengal and portions of Bangladesh.  The heavy rain is likely to cause inland fresh water floods in some locations.  Wind and rain could cause damage around Kolkata (Calcutta), India.

An upper level trough over India will steer Tropical Cyclone Fani toward the northeast during the next 48 hours.  On its anticipated path Fani will pass near Bhubaneshwar, Cuttack and Baleshwar in Odisha.  Tropical Cyclone Fani could still be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it passes near those locations.  Fani will weaken steadily while it moves northeast.  It is likely to be the equivalent of a tropical storm when it passes near Kolkata.  Tropical Cyclone Fani will weaken to the equivalent of a tropical depression when it passes over Bangladesh, but it could still drop heavy rain around Dhaka.  Serious flooding could occur in Bangladesh while Fani weakens.