Tag Archives: Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Chalane Emerges over Mozambique Channel

Tropical Cyclone Chalane emerged over the Mozambique Channel on Monday. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Chalane was located at latitude 20.1°S and longitude 43.3°E which put it about 270 miles (440 km) east-northeast of Europa Island. Chalane was moving toward the west-southwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

After crossing central Madagascar during the weekend, Tropical Cyclone Chalane emerged over the Mozambique Channel on Monday. The circulation around Chalane remained relatively intact despite crossing mountains on Madagascar. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands north and east of the center of circulation. Bands south and west of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles in the southern half of Tropical Cyclone Chalane. The winds in the northern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Cyclone Chalane will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Chalane will move over water in the Mozambique Channel where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The winds near the axis of the ridge are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Chalane will intensify and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Chalane will move north of a subtropical high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The high will steer Chalane toward the west during the next few days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Chalane will pass near Europa Island in 18 hours. Chalane could approach the central coast of Mozambique in 48 hours. Tropical Cyclone Chalane could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it reaches Mozambique.

Tropical Cyclone Chalane Makes Landfall in Madgascaar

The center of Tropical Cyclone Chalane made landfall on the coast of Madagascar on Saturday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Chalane was located at latitude 17.8°S and longitude 49.2°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Toamasina, Madagascar. Chalane was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 996 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Chalane made landfall on the coast of northeast Madagascar between Fenoarivo and Toamasina on Saturday. The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) at the time of landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles from the center of the tropical cyclone. The heaviest rain was falling in bands in the western and southern parts of Chalane.

Tropical Cyclone Chalane will move west-southwest across central Madagascar during the next 24 hours. The center will pass a little north of Antananarivo. The mountains will disrupt the lower levels of the circulation and Chalane will weaken while it is over land. However, Tropical Cyclone Chalane will drop heavy rain over parts of central and northern Madagascar. The rain will be heaviest where winds push air up the slopes and flash floods could occur in regions of steep terrain.

Tropical Cyclone Chalane will move over the Mozambique Channel in a day or so. If the middle and upper parts of the circulation remain relatively intact, then Chalane could strengthen back into the equivalent of a tropical storm. Tropical Cyclone Chalane or the remnants of its circulation could approach Mozambique in 72 hours

Tropical Cyclone Chalane Swirls Toward Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Chalane swirled toward Madagascar on Friday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Chalane was located at latitude 16.2°S and longitude 53.3°E which put it about 240 miles (390 km) east of Mananara, Madagascar. Chalane was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 996 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Chalane exhibited more organization on Friday, but the it was still asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the southern half of the circulation. Bands in the northern half of Chalane consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The strongest winds were occurring in the bands south of the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) on the south side of Tropical Cyclone Chalane. Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 25 miles (40 km) on the northern side of Chalane.

Tropical Cyclone Chalane will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Chalane will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. It will move under the northern side of an upper level ridge over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and they will inhibit intensification. However, the winds will not be strong enough to prevent Tropical Cyclone Chalane from intensifying during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Chalane will move north of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The high will steer Chalane toward the west during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Chalane will approach northern Madagascar in about 24 hours. Tropical Cyclone Chalane will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Madagascar. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Chalane Forms Northeast of La Reunion

Tropical Cyclone Chalane formed over the South Indian Ocean northeast of La Reunion on Thursday. At 7:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Chalane was located at latitude 15.4°S and longitude 58.2°E which put it about 410 miles (665 km) north-northeast of La Reunion. Chalane was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 996 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system northeast of La Reunion strengthened on Thursday and the system was designated at Tropical Cyclone Chalane. The circulation around Chalane was still organizing. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Cyclone Chalane was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands southeast of the center of circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in those rainbands. Bands in other parts of Chalane consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms southeast of the center of circulation generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the south of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Chalane will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Chalane will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The ridge will produce northerly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and they will inhibit intensification during the next 12 hours. Chalane will move into an area where the upper level winds will be weaker on Friday and it could strengthen more.

Tropical Cyclone Chalane will move south of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high will steer Chalane toward the west during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Chalane will pass north of Mauritius and La Reunion. Chalane could approach northern Madagascar in about 48 hours. Tropical Cyclone Chalane will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of northern Madagascar. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Herold Brings Wind, Rain to Rodrigues

Tropical Cyclone Herold brought wind and rain to Rodrigues on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Herold was located at latitude 21.4°S and longitude 64.1°E which put it about 125 miles (200 km) south-southeast of Port Mathurin, Mauritius.  Herold was moving toward the southeast at 21 m.p.h. (34 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

The core of Tropical Cyclone Herold passed west of Rodrigues on Tuesday, but it came close enough to that island to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain.  A weather station at the Plaine Corail airport on Rodrigues reported a wind gust of 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).

Although Tropical Cyclone Herold began to weaken on Tuesday.  It remained strong enough to generate wind gusts to hurricane/typhoon force over parts of Rodrigues.  Microwave satellite imagery indicated the there was still an eye at the center of Herold, although the eye was not evident on conventional infrared images.  The eye was surround by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 150 miles (240 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Herold will continue to weaken during the next several days.  An upper level trough near Madagascar and an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean will interact to produce strong northwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of Herold.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear and they will cause the tropical cyclone to weaken.

The upper level trough and ridge will steer Tropical Cyclone Herold toward the southeast.  On its anticipated track Herold will move quickly away from Rodrigues.  Weather conditions on that island will gradually improve as Tropical Cyclone Herold moves farther away.

Tropical Cyclone Gretel Speeds By New Caledonia

Tropical Cyclone Gretel sped by New Caledonia on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gretel was located at latitude 25.9°S and longitude 169.4°E which put it about 750 miles (1210 km) north-northwest of Auckland, New Zealand.  Gretel was moving toward the southeast at 37 m.p.h. (60 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 983 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gretel moved around the western end of high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean.  The high steered Gretel rapidly toward the southeast and the tropical cyclone sped over the Coral Sea west of New Caledonia.  Rainbands on the eastern side of Tropical Cyclone Gretel brought wind and rain to portions of New Caledonia on Sunday.

An upper level ridge produced strong northwesterly winds which created strong vertical wind shear.  The wind shear tilted the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Gretel toward the southeast and Gretel began to weaken.  The stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands south and east of the center of Gretel.  Bands in other parts of the tropical cyclone consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  The wind field around Gretel expanded when the tropical cyclone started to weaken.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gretel will continue to move rapidly toward the southeast during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Gretel could pass north of New Zealand in 24 to 36 hours.

Elsewhere, over the South Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Herold strengthened east of Madagascar.  At 5:00 p.m EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Herold was located at latitude 15.5°S and longitude 53.2°E which put it about 405 miles (655 km) west-northwest of Port Louis, Mauritius.  Herold was moving toward the east-southeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 Herold could reach Rodrigues in about 48 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Herold Drops Heavy Rain Over Northeast Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Herold dropped heavy rain over parts of northeast Madagascar on Saturday.  A rainband on the western side of Herold was dropping locally heavy rain over northern Madagascar from Mananara to Iharana.  At 5:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Herold was located at latitude 15.0°S and longitude 51.2°E which put it about 545 miles (880 km) northwest of Port Louis, Mauritius.  Herold was moving toward the east at 1 m.p.h. (2 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 981 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Herold strengthened into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Saturday.  A large ragged circular eye with a diameter of 50 miles (80 km) formed at the center of Herold.  A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  One strong band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the eastern and southern sides of Tropical Cyclone Herold.  A second strong band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the western and northern sides of Herold.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Herold will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours.  Herold will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under an upper level ridge where the winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Herold will intensify during the next 48 hours and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Herold has been in an area where the steering winds are weak and it has not moved very far during the past 24 hours.  A subtropical high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean will strengthen.  Herold will move around the southwestern part of the high pressure system and the high will steer the tropical cyclone toward the east-southeast.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Herold will move away from Madagascar on Sunday.  The center of Herold could pass north of Mauritius in three days.  Tropical Cyclone Herold could approach Rodrigues in 84 to 90 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Herold Forms East of Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Herold formed over the South Indian Ocean east of Madagascar on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Herold was located at latitude 14.8°S and longitude 51.9°E which put it about 510 miles (825 km) northwest of Port Louis, Mauritius.  Herold was moving toward the southwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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.

A distinct low level center of circulation organized quickly in an area of thunderstorms east of Madagascar on Friday and the system was designated as Tropical Cyclone Herold.  The circulation around Herold was still organizing and the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms developed in bands northwest of the center of circulation.  Bands in other parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms northwest of the center of Herold were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Herold will move through an environment that will become increasingly favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Herold is currently under a small upper level ridge centered near Madagascar.  The ridge is producing southeasterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds are causing some vertical wind shear and they are probably the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  However, Tropical Cyclone Herold will move into a region where the upper level winds are weaker during the weekend.  Herold will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C during that time period.  Tropical Cyclone Herold will intensify during the next several days and it could intensify rapidly once the inner core becomes better organized.  Herold is likely to intensify into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 24 hours.  It could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 72 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Herold is currently in an area where the steering currents are weak.  A subtropical high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean will strengthen during the next several days.  The western end of the subtropical high will start to steer Herold toward the east-southeast during the weekend.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Herold could be northwest of Mauritius in less than 72 hours.  Herold is likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane at that time.

Tropical Cyclone Gabekile Develops South of Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Gabekile developed south of Diego Garcia on Saturday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gabekile was located at latitude 17.4°S and longitude 74.1°E which put it about 700 miles (1125 km) south of Diego Garcia.  Gabekile was moving toward the south-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Gabekile was small but well organized.  Some microwave images suggested that a small eye could be forming at the center of circulation.  The eyelike feature was surrounded by a tight ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the small core of Gabekile.  Storms near the core generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gabekile will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Gabekile will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The ridge will produce northerly 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 Gabekile could strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Gabekile will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high will steer Gabekile  toward the south.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gabekile will move farther away from Diego Garcia.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Francisco was weakening as it moved slowly inland over east-central Madagascar.  At 7:00 a.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Francisco was located at latitude 20.0°S and longitude 48.3°E which put it about 10 miles (15 km) north of Marolambo, Madagascar.  Francisco was moving toward the southwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 1007 mb.  Tropical Cyclone Francisco was dropping locally heavy rain over parts of Madagascar.

Tropical Cyclone Francisco Redevelops Near East Coast of Madagascar

After moving slowly westward across the Southwest Indian Ocean for the past few days, Tropical Cyclone Francisco redeveloped near the east coast of Madagascar on Thursday.  At 7:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Francisco was located at latitude 17.9°S and longitude 50.7°E which put it about 90 miles (145 km) east of Toamasina, Madagascar.  Francisco was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (9 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 1004 mb.

Strong vertical wind shear weakened Tropical Cyclone Francisco east of Rodrigues last Thursday, but the lower portion of the circulation remained intact.  The lower level circulation drifted slowly westward during the last seven days and it moved across Mauritius and La Reunion earlier the week.  More thunderstorms began to develop around the lower level circulation on Wednesday, when it moved closer to the east coast of Madagascar.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms began to reform.  Storms near the center of circulation started generating upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease and the wind speeds began to increase.

Tropical Cyclone Francisco has exhibited greater organization in recent hours.  However, the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of the circulation.  Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Francisco was moving under the northern part of an upper level ridge.  The ridge was producing easterly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing some vertical wind shear and the shear could be responsible for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Cyclone Francisco will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 6 to 12 hours.  Francisco will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  The upper level ridge will still cause vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Francisco will weaken when it moves over Madagascar.

Tropical Cyclone Francisco will move north of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean.  The high will steer Francisco toward the west.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Francisco could make landfall on the east coast of Madagascar in about 12 hours.  Francisco will drop locally heavy rain over parts of central Madagascar.  The heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations,