Tag Archives: Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Danilo Forms South of Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Danilo formed south of Diego Garcia on Friday. At 7:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Danilo was located at latitude 11.6°S and longitude 72.3°E which put it about 290 miles (465 km) south of Diego Garcia. Danilo was nearly stationary. 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.

The circulation around a low pressure system strengthened on Friday and Meteo France La Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Danilo. There was a well defined low level center of circulation evident on satellite images. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Danilo. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands south and west of the center. Bands north and east of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone.

There was also a tropical depression located east-southeast of Tropical Cyclone Danilo. At 7:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of the tropical depression was located at latitude 14.4°S and longitude 81.4°E which put it about 770 miles (1240 km) east-southeast of Diego Garcia. The depression was moving toward the west 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 999 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Danilo will be in an environment favorable for intensification during the next few days. Danilo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C. It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over the South 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, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. However, the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Danilo will interact with the circulation around the tropical depression to its east-southeast. The interaction of the two circulations will disrupt the circulation on the eastern side of Danilo and that could prevent intensification during the next several days. Eventually,the two circulations are forecast to merge next week.

Tropical Cyclone Danilo will remain nearly stationary during the next day or so. Danilo could move slowly toward the southeast when the the tropical depression approaches it during the weekend. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Danilo is forecast to remain south of Diego Garcia. Danilo could eventually move west toward Rodrigues next week.

Tropical Cyclone Bongoyo Forms Southeast of Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Bongoyo formed over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia on Monday. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Bongoyo was located at latitude 14.8°S and longitude 81.4°E which put it about 870 miles (1350 km) southeast of Diego Garcia. Bongoyo was moving toward the west-southwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 997 mb.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of a low pressure system southeast of Diego Garcia on Monday and the system was designated as Tropical Cyclone Bongoyo. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of Bongoyo. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms developed in the southern half of the circulation. Bands in the northern half of Tropical Cyclone Bongoyo consisted primarily of showers and low clouds. Storms near the center started to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the southern half of Bongoyo. Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 35 miles in the northern half of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Bongoyo will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days. Bongoyo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C. It will move under the northwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Southeast Indian Ocean. The ridge will produce northeasterly 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 Bongoyo from intensifying. Tropical Cyclone Bongoyo will intensify during the next 48 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Bongoyo will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the Southeast Indian Ocean. The high will steer Boyongo toward the west-southwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Bongoyo will pass well south of Diego Garcia. Bongoyo could approach Rodrigues in five days.

Tropical Cyclone Alicia Develops East of Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Alicia developed east of Diego Garcia on Friday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Alicia was located at latitude 7.8°N and longitude 79.1°E which put it about 495 miles (795 km) east of Diego Garcia. Alicia was moving toward the west-southwest at 23 m.p.h. (37 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.

The circulation around a low pressure system east of Diego Garcia exhibited more organization on Friday and the system was designated as Tropical Cyclone Alicia. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and northern sides of the center of circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Alicia. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Alicia will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Alicia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. Alicia will be under an upper level ridge where the winds are weaker and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Alicia could strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon within 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Alicia will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the southeastern Indian Ocean. The high will steer Alicia toward the south-southwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Alicia will pass southeast of Diego Garcia and east of Rodrigues.

Tropical Cyclone Jeruto Develops Southeast of Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Jeruto developed over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Jeruto was located at latitude 16.4°S and longitude 82.7°E which put it about 950 miles (1535 km) southeast of Diego Garcia.  Jeruto was moving toward the west-southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Cyclone Jeruto was asymmetrical.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands southeast of the center of circulation.  An upper level trough east of Madagascar and an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean were interacting to produce strong northwesterly winds.  Those winds were blowing across the top of Tropical Cyclone Jeruto and they were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The strong shear was blowing the upper portion of the tropical cyclone to the southeast of the lower level circulation.  The strong wind shear was the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  Bands closer to the center of circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Cyclone Jeruto will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next several days.  Jeruto will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  So, there will be enough energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.   However, the upper level trough and ridge will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  The shear could be strong enough to blow the upper part of Tropical Cyclone Jeruto to the southeast of the lower level circulation.  Jeruto is likely to weaken during the next several days.

Since Tropical Cyclone Jeruto is likely to weaken and the circulation become more shallow, it will be steered by winds in the lower troposphere.  Those winds will steer Jeruto toward the west-southwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Jeruto will pass well south of Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Harold Rapidly Intensifies into Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Harold rapidly intensified into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon west-northwest of Vanuatu on Friday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Harold was located at latitude 14.1°S and longitude 164.1°E which put it about 170 miles (275 km) west-northwest of Nokuku, Vanuatu.  Harold was moving toward the southeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Harold organized quickly on Friday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of circulation and a small eye formed.  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 Harold.  The strongest rainbands were in the eastern half of the circulation.  Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms around the core of the circulation generated strong upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the east of the tropical cyclone.

Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extend out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Harold.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Harold was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 12.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 29.8.  Harold was capable of causing serious damage.

Tropical Cyclone Harold will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 48 hours.  Harold will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move around the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean.  The ridge 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 Harold will strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 12 hours.

The upper level ridge will steer Tropical Cyclone Harold slowly toward the southeast during the weekend.  On its anticipated track Harold will gradually approach Espiritu Santo and Malekula in Vanuatu.  The core of Tropical Cyclone Harold could move across the central part of Vanuatu in 48 to 72 hours.  Harold is likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane at that time.

Elsewhere in the tropics, Tropical Cyclone Irondro intensified into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Irondro was located at latitude 19.9°S and longitude 76.4°E which put it about 885 miles (1425 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia.  Irondro was moving toward the east-southeast at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 973 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Irondro Forms South-southwest of Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Irondro formed south-southwest of Diego Garcia on Thursday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Irondro was located at latitude 13.5°S and longitude 69.9°E which put it about 460 miles (745 km) south-southwest of Diego Garcia.  Irondro was moving toward the southeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.

A distinct low level center of circulation developed in an area of thunderstorms over the South Indian Ocean south-southwest of Diego Garcia on Thursday and the system was designated as Tropical Cyclone Irondro.  The circulation around Irondro was still organizing.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were forming and the bands were beginning to revolve around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (230 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Irondro will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 to 60 hours.  Irondro will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level high over the South Indian Ocean.  The high will produce northwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Irondro will intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

The upper level high and an upper level trough east of Madagascar will interact to steer Tropical Cyclone Irondro toward the southeast during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Irondro will pass south of Diego Garcia and south of Cocos Island.

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.

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.

Powerful Tropical Cyclone Kenneth Makes Landfall in Northern Mozambique

Powerful Tropical Cyclone Kenneth made landfall in northern Mozambique on Thursday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Kenneth was located at latitude 12.1°S and longitude 40.5°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) north of Pemba, Mozambique.  Kenneth was moving toward the west-southwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (270 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 937 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Kenneth continued to intensify until it made landfall near Quissanga, Mozambique.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 160 miles (260 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Kenneth was 28.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.5.  Those indices mean that Tropical Cyclone Kenneth was capable of causing significant regional damage.  In addition to wind damage Kenneth will cause a significant storm surge at the coast.  Locally heavy rain will produce flooding over parts of northern Mozambique.

Tropical Cyclone Kenneth will weaken when it moves inland over northern Mozambique.  However, It will take several days for the circulation around Kenneth to spin down.  The circulation could linger in that area for several days.  If that happens, persistent rainfall will exacerbate flooding of rivers and streams, which would hinder rescue and recovery efforts.

Elsewhere over the southern Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Lorna was swirling well to the east-southeast of Diego Garcia.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Lorna was located at latitude 11.0°S and longitude 86.1°E which put it about 950 miles (1530 km) east-southeast of Diego Garcia.  Lorna was moving toward the east-southeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 988 mb.

Major Tropical Cyclone Kenneth Brings Strong Wind, Rain to Comoros

Major Tropical Cyclone Kenneth brought strong wind and rain to the Comoros on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Kenneth was located at latitude 11.3°S and longitude 42.8°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) north of the Comoros.  Kenneth was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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. (235 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 954 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Kenneth intensified rapidly on Tuesday into the equivalent of a major hurricane.  A small circular eye appeared at the center of circulation on infrared 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 around the core of the circulation.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone in all directions.

Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Kenneth.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 130 miles (215 km) from the center of circulation.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Kenneth was 20.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 11.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 31.1.  Tropical Cyclone Kenneth was capable of causing major damage.

The southern half of the eyewall of Tropical Cyclone Kenneth passed over northern Grande Comore (Njazidja).  Mitsamiouli and Mbeni were likely to have experienced winds to hurricane/typhoon force.  Strong winds may have also affected the capital, Moroni.  Major wind damage may have occurred in those areas.  Heavy rain falling on steep slopes may cause flash flooding.  Easterly winds blowing up the slopes would have enhanced rainfall and the greatest risks for flooding were on the eastern sides of the mountains.  Those easterly winds may have also generated a significant storms surge along the northeast coast of Grande Comore (Njazidja).

Tropical Cyclone Kenneth will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 12 to 18 hours.  Kenneth will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge where the winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Kenneth is likely to intensify more while it moves across the Mozambique Channel.

Tropical Cyclone Kenneth will move north of a subtropical ridge.  The ridge will steer Kenneth a little to the south of due west.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Kenneth will make landfall on the north coast of Mozambique between Ibo and Mocimboa da Praia in about 18 hours.  Kenneth is likely to be a strong tropical cyclone at the time of landfall.  It will be capable of causing major wind damage and a storm surge at the coast.  Tropical Cyclone Kenneth will also drop heavy rain when it moves inland over northern Mozambique and it could cause additional flooding in that region.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Lorna moved gradually farther away from Diego Garcia.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Lorna was located at latitude 10.3°S and longitude 84.8°E which put it about 855 miles (1380 km) east-southeast of Diego Garcia.  Lorna was moving toward the east at 4 m.p.h. (6 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.