Tag Archives: 23S

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya Makes Landfall in Tanzania

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya made landfall in Tanzania on Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya was located at latitude 7.5°S and longitude 38.4°E which put it about 40 miles (650 km) south of the Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Hidaya was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya made landfall on the coast of Tanzania south of Dar es Salaam on Saturday. The center of Hidaya’s circulation crossed the coast near Kisiju. Tropical Cyclone Hidaya was the equivalent of a tropical storm at the time of landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center of Hidaya’s circulation. Tropical Cyclone Hidaya brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the southeastern part of Tanzania.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean and southern Africa. The high pressure system will steer Hidaya toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will move farther inland over southern Tanzania.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will weaken rapidly as it moves farther inland. Hidaya will move into a region of drier air which will cause it to weaken rapidly as it moves inland. Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will continue to produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain over parts of southern Tanzania during the next 24 hours. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya Nears Tanzania

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya neared the coast of Tanzania on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya was located at latitude 7.8°S and longitude 40.5°E which put it about 125 miles (200 km) southeast of the Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Hidaya was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 988 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya started to weaken on Friday as it approached the coast of Tanzania. Westerly winds blowing around the northern side of Hidaya’s circulation pulled drier air that was over Africa into the tropical cyclone. The drier air circulated around the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya. When the drier air reached rainbands in those parts of Hidaya’s circulation, some of the thunderstorms weakened. When the thunderstorms weakened, the upper level divergence decreased. Less mass was pumped away from the tropical cyclone and the surface pressure started to increase.

Even though Tropical Cyclone Hidaya started to weaken, its circulation was still well organized. A small circular eye was evident at the center of Hidaya’s circulation in infrared satellite images. The eye was surrounded by a narrow ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were still occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Hidaya’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will move through an environment that will become more unfavorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Hidaya will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will pull more drier air that is currently over Africa into its circulation as it moves closer to the coast of Tanzania. The drier air is likely to cause more thunderstorms to weaken, which will further decrease the upper level divergence. The surface pressure will continue to increase as the upper level divergence decreases. Tropical Cyclone Hidaya is likely to continue to weaken during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the Hidaya toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will approach the coast of Tanzania near Dar es Salaam in 12 hours. Hidaya will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to eastern Tanzania. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Hidaya will also bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Zanzibar and Mafia Island. Tropical Cyclone Hidaya could also produce a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of Tanzania.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean east of Tanzania on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya was located at latitude 8.7°S and longitude 43.0°E which put it about 295 miles (475 km) east-southeast of the Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Hidaya was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya rapidly intensified from the equivalent of a tropical storm to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Thursday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Hidaya’s circulation. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) formed at the center of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Hidaya was symmetrical. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Hidaya’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Hidaya will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Hidaya is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. Hidaya could continue to intensify rapidly and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the Hidaya toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will move toward the coast of Tanzania. Hidaya could approach the coast near Dar es Salaam on Saturday. Hidaya could bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to eastern Tanzania. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Hidaya could also produce a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast of Tanzania.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya Develops East of Tanzania

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya developed over the South Indian Ocean east of Tanzania on Wednesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya was located at latitude 8.6°S and longitude 45.0°E which put it about 2250 miles (360 km) north-northeast of the Comoros. Hidaya was moving toward the west 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 999 mb.

A former tropical depression over the South Indian Ocean north-northeast of Comoros strengthened on Wednesday and Meteo France La Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Hidaya. Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Hidaya’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center of Hidaya generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Hidaya.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Hidaya will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the western end of the axis of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Hidaya is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the Hidaya toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Hidaya will move north of Comoros on Thursday. Hidaya will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Comoros. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Hidaya could approach the coast of Africa near southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique later this week.

Tropical Cyclone Fili Brings Wind and Rain to New Caledonia

Tropical Cyclone Fili brought gusty winds and rain to New Caledonia on Wednesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fili was located at latitude 22.9°S and longitude 164.7°E which put it about 115 miles (185 km) west-southwest of Noumea, New Caledonia. Fili was moving toward the south-southeast at 9 m.p.h (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.

Bands in the eastern half of Tropical Cyclone Fili brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to New Caledonia on Wednesday. The core of Fili’s circulation with the strongest winds passed just west of New Caledonia. Tropical Cyclone Fili began to weaken slowly on Wednesday evening, but the circulation remained well organized. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Fili’s circulation. Bands in the western half of Tropical Cyclone Fili consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Fili.

Tropical Cyclone Fili will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Fili will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce stronger northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Fili’s circulation during the next two days. Those winds will cause more vertical wind shear. Drier air in the western half of Tropical Cyclone Fili will inhibit the formation of thunderstorms in that part of the circulation. The combination of more vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Tropical Cyclone Fili to weaken during the next 36 hours. Fili could begin to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone when it moves farther south where the Sea Surface Temperatures are colder.

Tropical Cyclone Fili will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Fili toward the southeast during that time period. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Fili will move away from New Caledonia during the next 36 hours. The gusty winds and locally heavy rain will diminish when Fili moves farther away from New Caledonia.

Tropical Cyclone Fili Strengthens Northwest of New Caledonia

Tropical Cyclone Fili strengthened over the Coral Sea northwest of New Caledonia on Tuesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fili was located at latitude 19.8°S and longitude 162.5°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) west-northwest of Poum, New Caledonia. Fili was moving toward the south-southeast at 9 m.p.h (15 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 986 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Fili strengthened on Tuesday as it moved over the Coral Sea northwest of New Caledonia. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Fili’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Even though Tropical Cyclone Fili strengthened, some drier air appeared to be pulled into the western half of its circulation. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Fili. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Cyclone Fili. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the western half of Fili.

Tropical Cyclone Fili will move through an environment that will be mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Fili will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Fili’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be large enough to prevent intensification. The drier air in the western half of Tropical Cyclone Fili will inhibit the formation of thunderstorms in that part of the circulation. The drier air will inhibit intensification. Tropical Cyclone Fili could intensify during the next 24 hours, but the drier air could limit strengthening.

Tropical Cyclone Fili will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Fili toward the south-southeast during that time period. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Fili will pass west of New Caledonia during the next 36 hours. Rainbands in the eastern half of Fili will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to New Caledonia. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Fili Develops Northwest of New Caledonia

Tropical Cyclone Fili developed over the Coral Sea northwest of New Caledonia on Monday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fili was located at latitude 18.0°S and longitude 160.4°E which put it about 250 miles (400 km) northwest of Poum, New Caledonia. Fili was moving toward the west-southwest at 11 m.p.h (17 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 995 mb.

A low pressure system over the Coral Sea northwest of New Caledonia strengthened on Monday and the system was designated as Tropical Cyclone Fili. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Tropical Cyclone Fili but the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical. Many of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Fili’s circulation. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical cyclone. The wind field around Tropical Cyclone Fili was also asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 170 miles (280 km) in the northern half of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the southern half of Fili.

Tropical Cyclone Fili will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Fili will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Fili’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Tropical Cyclone Fili is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. It could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Fili will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Fili toward the south during that time period. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Fili could move west of the northern end of New Caledonia within 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Wallace Churns Northwest of Australia

Tropical Cyclone Wallace continued to churn northwest of Australia on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Wallace was located at latitude 15.3°S and longitude 116.4°E which put it about 435 miles (700 km) north of Karratha, Australia.  Wallace was moving toward the southwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 987 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Wallace exhibited signs of greater organization on Sunday.  The inner end of a band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of circulation.  More thunderstorms formed in other bands that were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Wallace.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the west and south of the tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Wallace will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Wallace will move over water where Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move near the western end of an upper level ridge over northern Australia.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The shear will limit intensification, but it may not be great enough to prevent Tropical Cyclone Wallace from getting stronger.  Wallace could strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 24 hours.

The ridge over northern Australia will steer Tropical Cyclone Wallace toward the west-southwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Wallace is forecast to remain north of Western Australia.

Tropical Cyclone Wallace Develops North of Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Wallace developed over the Timor Sea north of Western Australia on Friday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Wallace was located at latitude 11.7°S and longitude 125.7°E which put it about 280 miles (440 km) north-northeast of Kuri Bay, Australia.  Wallace 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 997 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology posted a Tropical Cyclone Warning from Kalumburu to Beagle Bay.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a Tropical Low over the Timor Sea on Friday and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Wallace.  The distribution of thunderstorms in the circulation around Wallace was asymmetrical.  Most of the thunderstorms were occurring west of the center of circulation and in bands in the western half of the tropical cyclone.  Bands in the eastern half of of Tropical Cyclone Wallace consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Wallace was moving north of an upper level ridge.  The ridge was producing strong easterly winds which were causing significant vertical wind shear.  Those winds and the shear were probably the cause of the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  Storms west of the center of circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the west of Tropical Cyclone Wallace.

Tropical Cyclone Wallace may move into an area more favorable for intensification during the next day or two.  Wallace could move into an area where the upper level winds are not quite as strong.  Tropical Cyclone Wallace will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  So, if it moves into an area where the shear is less, then Tropical Cyclone Wallace is likely to strengthen.  There is a chance Wallace could intensify into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next two or three days.

Tropical Cyclone Wallace will move around the northwestern end of a subtropical ridge over Australia.  The ridge will steer Wallace toward the west-southwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track the core of Tropical Cyclone Wallace is forecast to stay north of the coast of Western Australia during the next few days.

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.