Tag Archives: SH09

Tropical Cyclone Grant Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Grant intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Saturday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 12.4°S and longitude 86.3°E which put the center about 1030 miles (1660 km) east-southeast of Diego Garcia.  Grant was moving toward the west-southwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 986 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Grant continued to intensify slowly on Saturday.  The circulation around Grant became more symmetrical.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Grant’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Grant generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease slowly.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Grant continued to be small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Grant’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Grant 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 over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Grant is likely to continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Grant toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Grant will pass south of Diego Garcia in three days.

Tropical Cyclone Grant Churns West

Tropical Cyclone Grant continued to churn westward over the South Indian Ocean on Friday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 11.8°S and longitude 89.7°E which put the center about 460 miles (740 km) west of the Cocos Islands.  Grant was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 989 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Grant strengthened a little more on Friday.  Even though Grant strengthened, the structure of its circulation did not change much.  Thunderstorms were still occurring near the center of Grant’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the southern and western parts of Tropical Cyclone Grant.  Bands in the northern and eastern part of Grant’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Grant generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease slowly.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Grant continued to be small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Grant’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Grant will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northwestern part of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Grant could intensify a little more during the next 24 hours.  Grant could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Grant toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Grant will pass south of Diego Garcia in four days.

Tropical Cyclone Grant Moves West of Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Grant moved west of the Cocos Islands on Thursday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 12.4°S and longitude 93.0°E which put the center about 235 miles (380 km) west of the Cocos Islands.  Grant was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 993 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Grant strengthened a little on Thursday as is moved west of the Cocos Islands.  Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Grant’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the southern and western parts of Tropical Cyclone Grant.  Bands in the northern and eastern part of Grant’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Grant generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease slowly.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Grant continued to be small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Grant’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Grant will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northwestern part of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Grant could intensify a little more during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Grant toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Grant will move farther from the Cocos Islands.  Grant is likely to pass south of Diego Garcia in a few days.

Tropical Cyclone Grant Brings Wind and Rain to Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Grant brought wind and rain to the Cocos Islands on Wednesday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 11.9°S and longitude 96.2°E which put the center about 35 miles (55 km) northwest of the Cocos Islands.  Grant was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 995 mb.

A weather station in the Cocos Islands measured a wind gust of 63 m.p.h. (102 km/h).  The weather station also recorded 4.96 inches (126 mm) of rain.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology cancelled the Warning for the Cocos Islands when Tropical Cyclone Grant began to move away on Wednesday evening.

Tropical Cyclone Grant began to intensify on Wednesday evening as it started to move west of the Cocos Islands.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern side of the center of Grant’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant.  Storms near the center of Grant generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Grant continued to be very small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Grant’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Grant will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Grant will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Grant toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Grant will move away to the west of the Cocos Islands during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant Nears Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Grant was nearing the Cocos Islands on Tuesday evening.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 12.0°S and longitude 98.0°E which put the center about 85 miles (135 km) east of the Cocos Islands.  Grant was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the Cocos Islands.

Tropical Cyclone Grant maintained its intensity on Tuesday.   Thunderstorm activity weakened early during the day.  However, more thunderstorms developed in Tropical Cyclone Grant on Tuesday evening.  Thunderstorms near the center of Grant’s circulation began to generate more upper level divergence.  More upper level divergence will pump more mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Grant continued to be very small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Grant’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Grant will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Grant will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Grant toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Grant will move over the Cocos Islands during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the Cocos Islands.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Tropical Cyclone Grant Develops East of Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Grant developed over the South Indian Ocean east of the Cocos Islands on Monday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 12.5°S and longitude 99.8°E which put the center about 210 miles (340 km) east of the Cocos Islands.  Grant was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Watch for the Cocos Islands.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean east of the Cocos Islands strengthened on Monday and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Grant.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant on Monday.  Thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of Grant’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Grant generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Grant was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Grant’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Grant will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Grant will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Grant toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Grant will reach the Cocos Islands in less than 48 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the Cocos Islands.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Anggrek Transitions to an Extratropical Cyclone

Former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek made a transition to an extratropical cyclone over the South Indian Ocean during Tuesday night. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 33.3°S and longitude 84.8°E which put it about 1925 miles (3105 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia. Anggrek was moving toward the east-southeast at 40 m.p.h. (65 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 983 mb.

Former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek made a transition to a powerful extratropical cyclone over the South Indian Ocean. Anggrek moved over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 22°C. It moved under the eastern side of an upper level trough that is east of Madagascar. The upper level trough produced northwesterly winds that caused strong vertical wind shear. The combination of colder water and strong wind shear caused formal Tropical Cyclone Anggrek to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The transition to an extratropical cyclone also caused changes to the structure of former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. The strong northwesterly winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere blew the tops off of many of the thunderstorms in Anggrek’s circulation. Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the southern part of former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. Bands in the northern part of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the eastern side of former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Anggrek’s circulation.

The upper level trough east of Madagascar will steer former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek quickly toward the east-southeast. On its anticipated track, Former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek could approach southwestern Australia later this week.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, a tropical depression formed east of Rodrigues. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of the tropical depression was located at latitude 19.9°S and longitude 66.2°E which put it about 175 miles (280 km) east of Port Mathurin, Rodrigues. The tropical depression was moving toward the south-southeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 996 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Irene Forms West of Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Irene formed over the South Pacific Ocean west of Vanuatu on Wednesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Irene was located at latitude 18.7°S and longitude 166.3°E which put it about 320 miles (520 km) west-southwest of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Irene was moving toward the east at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 990 mb.

An area of low pressure over the South Pacific Ocean strengthened rapidly on Wednesday morning and the Fiji Meteorological Service designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Irene. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern side of Irene’s circulation. Other bands of thunderstorms were occurring in the eastern half of Tropical Cyclone Irene. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southeast of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Irene.

Tropical Cyclone Irene will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Irene will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near than 28˚C. An upper level trough east of Australia will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Irene’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Irene is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. It could intensify rapidly during the next 12 hours. Irene could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

The upper level trough east of Australia will steer Tropical Cyclone Irene quickly to the east-southeast during the next 24 hours. The center of Irene could pass near the southern islands of Vanuatu in 12 hours. The center of Tropical Cyclone Irene will be near Tanna and Aneityum in 12 hours. Irene could bring strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southern Vanuatu. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Imogen Makes Landfall in Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Imogen made landfall in Queensland on Sunday. At 7:00 a.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Imogen was located at latitude 17.4°S and longitude 140.9°E which put it about 5 miles (10 km) north of Karumba, Australia. Imogen was moving toward the southeast at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 992 mb.

The tropical low over the southern Gulf of Carpentaria intensified into Tropical Cyclone Imogen before it made landfall in Queensland on Sunday. The center of Tropical Cyclone Imogen made landfall on the southwest coast of Queensland just to the north of Karumba. Imogen was the equivalent of a tropical storm at the time of landfall.

A Tropical Cyclone Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast of Queensland from Burketown to Kowanyama. The Warning extended inland to Croydon.

A high pressure system north of Australia will steer Tropical Cyclone Imogen toward the east southeast during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Imogen could be near Croydon in about 12 hours. Imogen will move more slowly on Monday when the steering currents will be weaker. Tropical Cyclone Imogen could be north of Georgetown in about 36 hours. The circulation around Imogen will weaken as it moves farther inland. Imogen will drop heavy rain over parts of the southern Cape York Peninsula. Heavy rain could cause flash floods along some rivers and streams. Flood Watches and Warnings are in effect for parts of northern Queensland.

Tropical Low Strengthens over Gulf of Carpentaria

A tropical low strengthened over the Gulf of Carpentaria on Saturday. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of the tropical low was located at latitude 15.8°S and longitude 138.5°E which put it about 75 miles (120 km) northwest of Mornington Island. The tropical low was moving toward the southeast 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 998 mb.

A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from the border between the Northern Territory and Queensland to Pormpuraaw. The Watch included Mornington Island.

The circulation around the tropical low exhibited better organization on Saturday. More thunderstorms developed near the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical low. The removal of mass was causing the surface pressure to decrease. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of the tropical low.

The tropical low will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical low will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge where the winds are weak. There will be little vertical wind shear. The tropical low will strengthen during the next 24 hours and it is likely to intensify to the equivalent of a tropical storm.

The tropical low will move south of a high pressure system centered north of Australia. The high will steer the tropical low toward the southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the tropical low will make landfall on the coast of Queensland between Karumba and Gilbert River Mouth in about 24 hours. It will be the equivalent of a tropical storm when it makes landfall. The tropical low could stall when it moves inland, which would cause a prolonged period of heavy rain. Flash floods could occur in parts of northern Queensland.