Tag Archives: South Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone Berguitta Strengthens Over South Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone Berguitta strengthened over the South Indian Ocean on Saturday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Berguitta was located at latitude 18.2°S and longitude 63.3°E which put it about 420 miles (675 km) east-northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius.  Berguitta was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 994 mb.

The structure of Tropical Cyclone Berguitta organized quickly on Saturday.  An eye appeared on microwave satellite images of the center of circulation.  An elliptical ring of showers and thunderstorms surrounded the eye.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Berguitta.  There were more thunderstorms south and east of the center of circulation.  Storms near the core of Berguitta were generating upper level divergence which was pumping away mass.  The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease and the winds speeds to increase.

Tropical Cyclone Berguitta will be moving through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Berguitta will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Berguitta will likely intensify into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 24 hours.  It could intensify more rapidly once the eye and inner core become fully organized.

A subtropical ridge south of Berguitta is steering the tropical cyclone slowly toward the west.  A general motion toward the west is expected during the next day or two.  In about 48 hours Tropical Cyclone Berguitta will be closer to the western end of the ridge and it could start to move more toward the southwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Berguitta could approach Mauritius and La Reunion in three or four days.  Berguitta could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon at that time.

Elsewhere in the southern hemisphere former Tropical Cyclone Joyce continued to drop locally heavy rain over parts of Western Australia.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of former Tropical Cyclone Joyce was located at latitude 25.4°S and longitude 115.6°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) southeast of Gascoyne Junction.  Former Tropical Cyclone Joyce was moving toward the west-southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.  The locally heavy rain was creating the potential for flooding in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Joyce Develops Near Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Joyce developed near Western Australia on Wednesday when a Tropical Low moved over the South Indian Ocean.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Joyce was located near latitude 17.0°S and longitude 121.6°E which put it about 80 miles (125 km) north-northwest of Broome, Australia.  Joyce was moving toward the south-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (7 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 990 mb.

A Tropical Low moved from Western Australia off the coast and over the warm water of the South Indian Ocean on Wednesday.  The circulation of the system organized after the center moved over water and the inner core became more well developed.  The Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Joyce.  A Tropical Cyclone Warning was issued for the portion of the coast from Cape Leveque to De Grey including Broome and adjacent inland parts of Western Australia.  A Tropical Cyclone Watch was issued for the portion of the coast from De Grey to Dampier including Port Headland, Karratha and adjacent inland areas.

The circulation of Tropical Cyclone Joyce exhibited the classical appearance of an organizing tropical cyclone on Wednesday.  There was a well defined low level center of circulation.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation.  Storms in the core of Joyce were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Joyce will be moving through an environment favorable for intensification during the next day or so.  Joyce will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Warm water and little vertical wind shear will allow Joyce to strengthen and it could intensify rapidly.  Tropical Cyclone Joyce is forecast to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Joyce is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering Joyce toward the south-southwest.  The ridge is forecast to steer Joyce in a general southwesterly direction during the next several days.   On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Joyce could make landfall on the coast of western Australia between Wallal Downs and De Grey in about 36 hours.

Tropical Low Forms Over Western Australia

A Tropical Low formed over Western Australia on Monday and a Tropical Cyclone Watch was issued for a portion of the coast.  At 2:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of the Tropical Low was located at latitude 15.9°S and longitude 126.1°E which put it about 135 miles (220 km) west-southwest of Wyndham, Australia.  It was moving toward the southwest a 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 20 m.p.h. (30 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (85 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.  The Australia Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Tropical Cyclone Watch for the portion of the coast of Western Australia from Kuri Bay to Wallal Downs including Broome.

The circulation of the Tropical Low is still organizing.  There is a broad low level center of circulation, but there are not many showers and thunderstorms near the center.  There are numerous bands of showers and storms developing in bands on the eastern and western peripheries of the circulation.  The strongest wind gusts are occurring in those storms.  The lack of storms near the center of circulation is keeping the system from generating much upper level divergence.

The core of the Tropical Low is likely to remain over land for another 12-24 hours, which will inhibit the organization of the circulation.  When the center moves off the coast and over the South Indian Ocean, it will move into an environment favorable for intensification.  The Sea Surface Temperature of the water west of the coast of Western Australia is near 30°C.  The Tropical Low is moving north of the axis of a subtropical ridge.  The ridge is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation, but there is not a lot of vertical wind shear.  The Tropical Low is likely to strengthen when it moves over water and it could intensify rapidly if a more concentrated center of circulation develops.

A subtropical ridge is current steering the Tropical Low toward the southwest, but a general motion toward the west-southwest is expected during the next 24 to 48 hours.  The Tropical Low will reach the western end of the ridge in about two days and then it will turn more toward the south.  On its anticipated track the center of the Tropical Low is expected to move off the coast between Kuri Bay and Derby on Tuesday.  The center is forecast to pass near Cape Leveque and then turn south toward Wallal Downs.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Ava continued to swirl near southern Madagascar and stronger Tropical Cyclone Irving was passing well to the south of Diego Garcia.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Ava was located at latitude 27.7°S and longitude 46.8°E which put it about 180 miles (295 km) south of Farodofay, Madagascar.  Ava was moving toward the west-southwest at 17 m.p.h. (27 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 994 mb.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Irving was centered at latitude 19.6°S and longitude 76.1°E which put it about 875 miles (1415 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia.  Irving was moving toward the west-southwest at 18 m.p.h. (29 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (205 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.  Tropical Cyclone Irving was the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Tropical Cyclone Ava Drops Heavy Rain on Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Ava dropped heavy rain over Madagascar on Saturday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ava was located at latitude 21.4°S and longitude 48.2°E which put it about 70 miles (110 km) north-northwest of Mananjary, Madagascar.  Ava was moving toward the south-southeast at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 994 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Ava weakened into the equivalent of a tropical storm during the day it spent moving over Madagascar.  The strongest winds were occurring in bands of thunderstorms over the water.  The center made landfall on Friday near Toamasina.  The center then passed near Moramanga, Anosibe An’ala, and Marolambo.  There is still a distinct center of circulation and several bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the center.  Some of the storms dropped heavy rain over parts of Madagascar.  There was stronger rising motion in places where the winds blew up the sides of mountains and the rainfall was heavier in those locations.  The potential for flooding exists in places that received heavy rain.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Ava is likely to move back over the water of the South Indian Ocean during the next few hours.  Tropical Cyclone Ava will move into an environment that is favorable for intensification when it moves back over water.  The Sea Surface Temperature of the water east of Madagascar is near 28°C.  Ava is moving under the axis of an upper level ridge and the upper level winds are relatively weak.  So, there is not a lot of vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Ava is likely to strengthen once the center moves back over water.

Tropical Cyclone Ava is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering Ava toward the south-southeast.  The ridge is forecast to steer Tropical Cyclone Ava toward the south for another day or two.  When Tropical Cyclone Ava moves farther to the south in about 48 hours, an upper level trough will cause northwesterly winds, which will start to steer the tropical cyclone toward the east-southeast.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Ava is expected to move off the coast of Madagascar near Mananjary in a few hours.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Irving was strengthening east-southeast of Diego Garcia.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Irving was located at latitude 13.3°S and longitude 87.5°E which put it about 1145 miles (1845 km) east-southeast of Diego Garcia.  Irving was moving toward the west-southwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 991 mb.

Satellite imagery suggested that Tropical Cyclone Irving could be strengthening rapidly.  A primary rainband was wrapping around the center of circulation.  An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Irving.  Tropical Cyclone Irving will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Irving is likely to intensify into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon while it passes well to the south of Diego Garcia during the next several days.

Strong Tropical Cyclone Ava Makes Landfall in Madagascar

Strong Tropical Cyclone Ava made landfall on the east coast of Madagascar near Toamasina on Friday.  At 10:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ava was located near 18.0°S and longitude 49.2°E which put it near Toamasina.  Ava was moving toward the west-southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (205 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.  Tropical Cyclone Ava was the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Tropical Cyclone Ava intensified rapidly during the past 12 hours and it was still intensifying when it made landfall on the coast of Madagascar.  There was a well defined circular eye 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.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the circulation.  Thunderstorms in the core of Tropical Cyclone Ava were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping away mass and allowed the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 180 miles (290 km) from the center.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Ava was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 35.4.  Those indices indicate that Tropical Cyclone Ava is capable of causing regional serious damage.  The core of Tropical Cyclone Ava passed over Toamasina and there is likely to be serious wind damage in that city.  Heavy rain was falling in parts of eastern Madagascar and floods could occur.  Tropical Cyclone Ava could produce a storm surge of 10 feet (3 meters) south of where the center made landfall, because the strong winds will be blowing the water toward the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Ava will weaken while the center moves over land in eastern Madagascar.  However, the rest of the environment is favorable for a tropical cyclone.  The Sea Surface Temperature off the east coast of Madagascar is near 28°C.  The upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  If the inner core of Tropical Cyclone Ava remains intact, then Ava could intensify again when the center moves back over the South Indian Ocean in a day or so.

Tropical Cyclone Ava is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering the tropical cyclone toward the west-southwest.  Ava will start to move toward the south when it reaches the end of the ridge in a few hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Ava is forecast to move just inland of the east coast of Madagascar.  Ava is forecast to move back off the coast in 24 to 36 hours.  Tropical Cyclone Ava is capable of causing serious damage along the central east coast of Madagascar.

Tropical Cyclone Ava Strengthens East of Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Ava intensified east of Madagascar on Thursday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ava was located at latitude 17.4°S and longitude 50.8°E which put it about 125 miles (205 km) east-northeast of Toamasina, Madagascar.  Ava was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 980 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Ava exhibited the classic structure of a tropical cyclone on Thursday.  A clear eye was evident at the center of circulation on microwave satellite imagery.  The eye was surrounded by a nearly complete ring of showers and thunderstorms.  Spiral bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Ava.  Storms in the core of Ava were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Ava will move through an environment favorable for intensification on Friday.  Ava will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28.5°C.  Tropical Cyclone Ava is moving near the western end of an upper level ridge, but the upper level winds are weak and there is not much vertical wind shear.  Warm water and little vertical wind shear will allow Tropical Cyclone Ava to intensify during the next 24 hours.  Ava should strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Friday.

Tropical Cyclone Ava is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge, which has been steering Ava mostly toward the west.  Tropical Cyclone Ava is forecast to move more toward the southwest on Friday as it nears the western end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Ava will move close to the east coast of Madagascar near Toamasina in 18 to 24 hours.  When Ava reaches the western end of the ridge in about 24 hours, it will start to move more toward the south.

Tropical Cyclone Ava will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the east coast of Madagascar.  The winds will be strong enough to do damage and they could generate a storm surge at the coast.  Rain is already falling on parts of eastern Madagascar and more heavy rain will create the potential for floods.

Tropical Cyclone 03S Forms East of Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone 03S formed east of Madagascar on Tuesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone 03S was centered at latitude 15.5°S and longitude 53.2°E which put it about 330 miles (530 km) east-northeast of Toamasina, Madagascar.  It was moving a little south of due west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

A well defined center of circulation developed within a cluster of thunderstorms passing north of La Reunion on Tuesday.  A primary rainband wrapped around the center of circulation and the system exhibited the characteristics of a tropical cyclone.  The innermost end of the primary  rainband wrapped tightly around the eastern side of the center of circulation, while the rest of the band coiled around the northern and western parts of the tropical cyclone.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms were forming outside the core of the system.  Thunderstorms near the center of circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone 03S will be moving through an environment favorable for intensification.  It will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28.5°C.  Tropical Cyclone 03S is in a region where the upper level winds are weak and there is not much vertical wind shear.  Warm water and little shear will allow Tropical Cyclone 03S to intensify and it could intensify rapidly.  The system is likely to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon within 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone 03S is moving along the northwestern periphery of a subtropical ridge.  The ridge is currently steering the system toward the west.  However, Tropical Cyclone 03S is likely to move more toward the southwest when it reaches the western end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone 03S could approach the east coast of Madagascar in 24 to 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone 03S is likely to intensify into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon before it reaches Madagascar.  It will bring strong gusty winds to eastern Madagascar.  The outer rainbands on the western side of Tropical Cyclone 03S are already dropping heavy rain on parts of eastern Madagascar.  Continued heavy could create dangerous floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Hilda Develops on Coast of Western Australia

A Tropical Low near the coast of Western Australia strengthened and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Hilda. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hilda was located at latitude 18.0°S and longitude 122.1°E which put it about 10 miles (15 km) west-southwest of Broome, Australia.  Hilda was moving toward the south-southwest at 8 m.p.h. (12 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (85 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (140 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.  Broome Port reported a wind gust to 86 m.p.h. (139 km/h).

The center of the Tropical Low moved off the coast of Western Australia and the core of the circulation strengthened.  Thunderstorms in the core of Tropical Cyclone Hilda generated strong upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the center of circulation.  The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease quickly and the wind speeds increased.  The strongest winds were occurring over water near the center of circulation.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the circulation.  Hilda is a small tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force only extend out about 35 miles (55 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Hilda will be moving through an environment that will support further intensification during the next 12 hours.  The Sea Surface Temperature of the water near the coast of Western Australia is near 30°C.  Tropical Cyclone Hilda is underneath an upper level ridge and the upper level winds are weak.  There is little vertical wind shear.  The proximity to land is the only factor preventing rapid intensification of Tropical Cyclone Hilda.  Almost half of the circulation is over land and the increased friction is reducing the wind speeds in that part of Tropical Cyclone Hilda.

Tropical Cyclone Hilda is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge, which is steering the tropical cyclone toward the south-southwest.  A general motion toward the south-southwest is expected to continue for another 12 to 24 hours.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Hilda could pass near Bidyadanga during the next 6 to 12 hours.  Hilda will bring gusty winds capable of producing localized minor wind damage.  A Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Beagle Bay to Pardoo Roadhouse.  The core of Tropical Cyclone Hilda will drop locally heavy rain near the coast of Western Australia and flash flooding is possible.

Tropical Low Develops Near Coast of Western Australia

A distinct low level center of circulation developed in an area of thunderstorms near the coast of Western Australia on Tuesday and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology classified the system as a Tropical Low.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of the Tropical Low as located at latitude 17.2°N and 122.3°E which put it just inland east of Coulomb Point and about 55 miles (85 km) north of Broome, Australia.  The Tropical Low was moving toward the southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

Although the center of circulation was over land, the circulation of the Tropical Low became much better organized on Tuesday.  There was a well defined center of circulation and weather radar images indicated an eyelike feature at the center of the Tropical Low.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the center of circulation.  Storms in the core of the Tropical Low were generating well developed upper level divergence which was pumping mass away in all directions.

The Tropical Low will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  The Sea Surface Temperature of the water off the coast of Western Australia is near 30°C.  The Tropical Low is underneath an upper level ridge and the upper level winds are not very strong.  There is little vertical wind shear.  The only factor inhibiting intensification is the fact that the center is still inland over Western Australia.  If the center moves over water as is forecast, the Tropical Low will intensify and it could intensify rapidly.

The Tropical Low is moving around the western end of a mid-level ridge which is steering it toward the southwest.  The ridge is forecast to steer the Tropical Low toward the southwest for another 12 to 24 hours.  When the Tropical Low reaches the western end of the ridge, it will move more toward the south.  On its anticipated track the center of the Tropical Low will move off the coast of Western Australia and over water during the next 6 to 12 hours.  The center of the Tropical Low is expected to pass west of Broome.  The Tropical Low could approach the coast of Western Australia between Bidyadanga and Wallal Downs in about 36 hours.

The Tropical Low will drop heavy rain along the coast of Western Australia during the next 48 hours.  It will also bring gusty winds and a Warning has been issued for the portion of the coast from Cape Leveque to De Grey.

Tropical Cyclone Ernie Forms Northwest of Australia

Tropical Cyclone Ernie formed northwest of Australia on Thursday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ernie was located at latitude 14.1°S and longitude 110.9°E which put it about 580 miles (940 km) north-northwest of Exmouth, Australia.  Ernie was moving toward the south-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (7 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. (100 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 995 mb.

Thunderstorms developed around a small area of low pressure south of Indonesia during the past several days.  The storms consolidated near the center of circulation on Thursday and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Ernie.  Ernie does have a well organized low level center of circulation, but many of the thunderstorms are occurring just to the west of the center of circulation.  There are also several bands of showers and thunderstorms in the southeastern quadrant of the circulation.  The thunderstorms near the center are generating upper level divergence which is pumping out mass to the south and southeast of Tropical Cyclone Ernie.

Tropical Cyclone Ernie is in an environment that is favorable for intensification.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge southeast of Ernie is generating northerly winds which are cause some vertical wind shear over the tropical cyclone.  However, the vertical wind shear is not strong enough to prevent further intensification of Tropical Cyclone Ernie.  Ernie should intensify during the next 24 hours and it could intensify rapidly during that time.  Tropical Cyclone Ernie will move into an unfavorable environment in a day or two.  Ernie will move over cooler SSTs and into a region where stronger upper level winds will produce more vertical wind shear.  The tropical cyclone will weaken at that time.

A subtropical ridge centered southeast of Ernie is steering the tropical cyclone slowly toward the south-southwest.  The ridge is forecast to strengthen and extend farther to the west.  When the ridge extends westward, it will steer Tropical Cyclone Ernie more toward the west.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Ernie currently poses no threat to land.