Tag Archives: Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Ambali Rapidly Intensifies to Threshold of Cat. 5

Tropical Cyclone Ambali rapidly intensified to the threshold of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ambali was located at latitude 10.8°S and longitude 62.1°E which put it about 740 miles (1190 km) north-northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius.  Ambali was moving toward the south-southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 932 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Ambali rapidly intensified from a minimal tropical storm to the threshold of a Cat. 5 hurricane in less than 36 hours over the Southwest Indian Ocean.  Nearly perfect environmental conditions including warm water and little vertical wind shear allowed Ambali to strengthen very rapidly.  A small circular eye formed at the center of the tropical cyclone.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Ambali.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Ambali was small which also contributed to the rapid intensification.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Ambali was 33.3.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 41.2.

Tropical Cyclone Ambali may be near its maximum intensity, although it could strengthen a little more during the next six to twelve hours.  Ambali will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will remain in an area where the upper level winds are weak during the next six to twelve hours and there will be little vertical wind shear during that time.  Tropical Cyclone Ambali will approach an area where there are strong upper level westerly winds during the weekend.  Ambali will weaken when the wind shear increases.

Tropical Cyclone Ambali will move around the western part of a subtropical high pressure over the South Indian Ocean.  The high will steer Ambali toward the south-southwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Ambali will move toward Mauritius.

Elsewhere over the Southwest Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Belna was intensifying north of Madagascar.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Belna was located at latitude 7.5°S and longitude 49.0°E which put it about 300 miles (485 km) north of Madagsacar.  Belna was moving toward the southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 982 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Belna exhibited much greater organization on Thursday.  An eye appeared to be forming at the center of circulation on microwave satellite images.  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 about the core of Belna.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Belna will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 48 hours.  Belna will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28.5°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Belna is likely to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Friday.  Belna could intensify rapidly once an eye and eyewall are full formed.  It could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Belna will move around the western end of a ridge of high pressure over the South Indian Ocean.  The high will steer Belna toward the south-southwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Blena could approach the coast of northwestern Madagascar in three or four days.  Belna could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it approaches Madagascar.

Two Tropical Cyclones Form over Southwest Indian Ocean

One day after a pair of tropical cyclones developed over Arabian Sea, two tropical cyclones formed over the Southwest Indian Ocean on Wednesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone 02S was located at latitude 6.9°S and longitude 51.2°E which put it about 355 miles (575 km) north of Madagascar.  The tropical cyclone was moving toward the south-southwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 1000 mb.

At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone 03S was located at latitude 7.5°S and longitude 64.0°E which put it about 570 miles (915 km) west of Diego Garcia.  The tropical cyclone was moving toward the southwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) snd there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Tropical Cyclone 02S was still organizing on Wednesday afternoon and the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands on the northern side of the circulation.  Bands on the southern side of the tropical cyclone consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storm near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone 02S will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 to 72 hours.  The tropical cyclone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28.5°C.  It will move through a region where there will be weak southeasterly winds in the upper levels.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and they may already have contributed to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  The wind shear will slow the rate of intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent the Tropical Cyclone 02S from getting stronger. The tropical cyclone could intensify into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon in 48 to 72 hours.

Tropical Cyclone 02S will move near the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high will steer the tropical cyclone toward the south-southwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone 02S could approach northern Madagascar in three or four days.

Tropical Cyclone 03S was also still organizing on Wednesday afternoon and it too had an asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  The strongest thunderstorms around Tropical Cyclone 03S were occurring in bands south and west of the center of circulation.  Bands north and east of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone 03S will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 48 hours.  The tropical cyclone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28.5°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds will blow from the north.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and they may have already contributed to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  The wind shear will slow the rate of intensification but it will not be strong enough to prevent Tropical Cyclone 03S from getting stronger.

Tropical Cyclone 03S will also be steered by the subtropical high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high will steer the tropical cyclone toward the south-southwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone 03S could move toward Mauritius.

Major Tropical Cyclone Joaninha Brings Wind and Rain to Rodrigues

Major Tropical Cyclone Joaninha brought wind and rain to Rodrigues on Monday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Joaninha was located at latitude 19.3°S and longitude 63.9°E which put it about 45 miles (75 km) from Rodrigues, Mauritius.  Joaninha was moving toward the southeast at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 946 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Joaninha was the equivalent of a major hurricane.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 50 miles (80 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 Joaninha was 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 42.3.  Joaninha was capable of causing major damage.

The southwestern portion of the eyewall of Tropical Cyclone Joaninha was very near Rodrigues.  Winds to hurricane typhoon force were occurring in that part of the eyewall.  Winds to tropical storm force are likely to affect all of Rodrigues.  The circulation around Joaninha was somewhat asymmetrical.  Most of the stronger rainbands were occurring in the eastern half of the circulation and the heaviest rain is likely to fall east of Rodrigues.  However, heavy rain in the eyewall could cause flooding in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Joaninha will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Joaninha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move through a region where there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Joaninha could strengthen slightly while it passes by Rodrigues.

An upper level trough near Madagascar will produce northwesterly winds which will steer Tropical Cyclone Joaninha toward the southeast.  On its anticipated track Joaninha will move away from Rodrigues on Tuesday.  Conditions in Rodrigues should improve gradually as Tropical Cyclone Joaninha moves away.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, weakening Tropical Cyclone Veronica was skirting the coast of Western Australia.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Veronica was located at latitude 21.1°S and longitude 115.4°E which put it about 140 miles (230 km) northeast of Learmonth, Australia.  Veronica was moving toward the southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 992 mb.  Tropical Cyclone Veronica dropped heavy rain over parts of Western Australia and flooding was occurring in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Veronica Stalls, Weakens Near Western Australia Coast

Tropical Cyclone Veronica stalled and weakened near the coast of Western Australia west of Port Hedand.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Veronica was located at latitude 20.5°S and longitude 117.5°E which put it about 70 miles (110 km) west of Port Hedland.  Veronica was moving toward the southwest at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 974 mb.  A Tropical Cyclone Warning remained in effect from Port Hedland to Mardie including Karratha and Barrow Island.

The southern eyewall of Tropical Cyclone Veronica moved over the coast of Western Australia west of Port Hedland on Saturday night.  Veronica was the equivalent of a major hurricane and there would have been a period of strong winds near the coast.  It likely caused some wind damage and generated a storm surge at the coast.  An upper level trough west of Australia produced strong northwesterly winds that reached the top of Tropical Cyclone Veronica as it neared the coast.  Those winds produced very strong vertical wind shear and they blew the upper half of the circulation southeast of the lower half of the tropical cyclone.  The decoupling of the upper and lower parts of the circulation caused Tropical Cyclone Veronica to weaken very quickly during the past 12 hours.  Veronica weakened from the equivalent of a major hurricane to a tropical storm.

The strong wind shear also generated an asymmetrical distribution of rainfall.  Most of the rain was falling in the southeastern half of the circulation which was over Western Australia.  Bands in the northwestern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Locally heavy rain could produce flooding in a few locations, but the rapid weakening of Tropical Cyclone Veronica will reduce the risk of flooding.

Tropical Cyclone Veronica will continue to weaken quickly because of the strong vertical wind shear.  The decoupling of the upper and lower halves of the circulation has resulted in little motion during the past few hours.  However, the lower half of Veronica will be steered more by the winds in the lower troposphere.  Those winds will steer Tropical Cyclone Veronica toward the west-southwest during the next day or two.  On its anticipated track the lower half of Veronica will move near the coast of Western Australia.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Veronica will pass near Wickham, Karratha, Dampier, Onslow and Exmouth.  Veronica will bring some gusty winds, but it should pose a limited risk.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Joaninha was strengthening northwest of Rodrigues.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Joaninha was located at latitude 17.4°S and longitude 62.0°E which put it about 180 miles (290 km) northwest of Rodrigues, Mauritius.  Joaninha was moving toward the southeast at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Joaninha Develops Over Southwest Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone Joaninha developed over the Southwest Indian Ocean on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Joaninha was located at latitude 15.7°S and longitude 62.2°E which put it about 260 miles (420 km) north-northwest of Rodrigues, Mauritius.  Joaninha was moving toward the south at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean on Friday and the system was designated Tropical Cyclone Joaninha.  The inner end of a band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the eastern and southern sides of the center of circulation.  However, the distribution of thunderstorms around Joaninha was asymmetrical.  Several bands of thunderstorms developed in the eastern half of the circulation.  Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms near the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Joaninha will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Joaninha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Joaninha will continue to intensify during the next 48 to 72 hours.  Joaninha could strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon within 24 hours.  It could be the equivalent of a major hurricane in 48 to 72 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Joaninha will move around the western end of a ridge of high pressure.  The ridge will steer Joaninha toward the south for another day or so.  After it rounds the western end of the ridge, Tropical Cyclone Joaninha will move more toward the southeast.  On its anticipated track Joaninha could approach Rodrigues in about 72 hours.  It could be the equivalent of a major hurricane at that time.

Tropical Cyclone Haleh Strengthens to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Haleh strengthened into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Monday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Haleh was centered at latitude 18.9°S and longitude 72.3°E which put it about 800 miles (1290 km) south of Diego Garcia.  Haleh was moving toward the south-southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 948 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Haley rapidly intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the past 24 hours.  A circular eye was clearly evident on satellite imagery.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Storms near the core of the circulation 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 Tropical Cyclone Haleh.  The strongest bands were in the southern half of the circulation.  Bands in the northern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Haleh.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 210 miles (330 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Haleh was 22.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 38.1.

Tropical Cyclone Haleh will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Haleh will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds will be weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Haleh could intensify during the next day or so.  Eventually, Haleh will move over cooler water and it will start to weaken when that occurs.

Tropical Cyclone Haleh will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The ridge will steer Haleh toward the south-southwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Haleh is forecast to remain well to the southeast of Mauritius and La Reunion.

Tropical Cyclone Haleh Develops Southeast of Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Haleh developed southeast of Diego Garcia on Saturday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Haleh was located at latitude 13.5°S and longitude 73.9°E which put it about 435 miles (700 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia.  Haleh was moving toward the south-southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 981 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Haleh organized quickly on Saturday.  An inner rainband wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Haleh.  The strongest rainbands were occurring in the eastern half of the circulation.  Rainbands in the western half of the circulation consisted mostly of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the core of Haleh were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the southeast of the tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 160 miles (260 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Haleh will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Haleh will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level trough to the west of Tropical Cyclone Haleh will produce northwesterly 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 Haleh is forecast to intensify into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Haleh will move around the northwestern part of a subtropical ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The ridge will steer Haleh toward the southwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Haleh will remain well to the south of Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Gelena Brings Wind and Rain to Rodrigues

Tropical Cyclone Gelena brought wind and rain to Rodrigues on Saturday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gelena was located at latitude 20.5°S and longitude 63.7°E which put it about 55 miles (90 km) southeast of Rodrigues, Mauritius.  Gelena was moving toward the east-southeast at 18 m.p.h. (29 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 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 959 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gelena was the equivalent of a major hurricane when it moved past Rodrigues.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 150 miles (240 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Gelena was 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 36.5.

The northeastern part of the eyewall of Tropical Cyclone Gelena appeared to cross Rodrigues.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force may have occurred when that part of the eyewall moved over the island.  Winds to tropical storm force will continue for a few more hours until Gelena moves farther away from Rodrigues.  Conditions on Rodrigues should gradually improve on Sunday while Tropical Cyclone Gelena moves farther away.  Gelena will weaken as it moves over colder water.

Elsewhere over South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Funani made a transition to an extratropical cyclone.  At 4:00 p.m. EST the center of Tropical Cyclone Funani was located at latitude 31.9°S and longitude 77.4°E which put it about 1390 miles (2245 km) southeast of Mauritius.  Funani was moving toward the southeast at 28 m.p.h. (45 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 996 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gelena Strengthens to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Gelena strengthened into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Friday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gelena was located at latitude 16.8°S and longitude 56.9°E which put it about 265 miles (425 km) north of Port Louis, Mauritius.  Gelena was moving toward the southeast at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (205 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (205 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 953 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Gelena strengthened and grew larger on Friday.  An eye appeared intermittently at the center of Gelena on satellite imagery.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in the ring of storms.  More bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the circulation.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 175 miles (280 km) from the center.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Gelena was 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 17.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 40.9.  Those indices indicated that tropical Cyclone Gelena was capable of causing major regional damage.

Tropical Cyclone Gelena will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification for another 12 to 24 hours.  Gelena will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level trough near Madagascar will produce westerly winds which are blowing toward the top of Tropical Cyclone Gelena.  Those winds will produce some vertical wind shear and they will inhibit upper level divergence toward the western periphery of Gelena.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Tropical Cyclone Gelena could strengthen on Saturday.

Tropical Cyclone Gelena will move south of a subtropical ridge.  The ridge will steer Gelena in a southeasterly direction.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gelena will pass north of Mauritius.  However, Gelena could approach Rodrigues within 36 hours.  Tropical Cyclone Gelena could bring strong winds and heavy rain to Rodrigues.

Elsewhere over the southern Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Funani was speeding toward colder water.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Funani was located at latitude 26.3°S and longitude 73.4°E which put it about 805 miles (1295 km) east-southeast of Rodrigues.  Funani was moving toward the southeast at 28 m.p.h. (45 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. (170 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

Stronger Tropical Cyclone Gelena Moves Toward Rodrigues

A stronger Tropical Cyclone Gelena moved toward Rodrigues on Thursday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gelena was located at latitude 14.8°S and longitude 54.5°E which put it about 340 miles (550 km) north-northwest of Port Louis, Mauritius.  Gelena was moving toward the south-southeast at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gelena strengthened into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Thursday.  An eye cleared at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Gelena.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 35 miles (55 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 140 miles (225 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Gelena will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Gelena will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through an environment where the upper level winds are weak and the there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Gelena will intensify during the next 24 to 36 hours and it could strengthen rapidly at times.  Gelena will likely become the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Gelena will move south of a subtropical ridge which will steer the tropical cyclone toward the southeast.  On its anticipated track the core of Gelena will pass north of Mauritius in about 24 hours.  Tropical Cyclone Gelena could approach Rodrigues in 36 to 48 hours.  Gelena could be the equivalent of a major hurricane at that time.

Elsewhere over the Southwest Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Funani intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane as it moved away from Rodrigues.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Funani was located at latitude 22.2°S and longitude 69.3°E which put it about 430 miles (690 km) east-southeast of Rodrigues, Mauritius.  Funani was moving toward the southeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (215 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 950 mb.