Tropical Cyclone Gamane brought strong winds and heavy rain to northern Madagacar on Wednesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gamane was located at latitude 13.5°S and longitude 49.1°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) south of the Ambilobe, Madagascar. Gamane was moving toward the southwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 991 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gamane rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon before it made landfall on the coast of northern Madagascar near Iharana on Tuesday night. The circulation around Gamane was small at the time of landfall. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Gamane at the time of landfall. Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Gamane’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gamane weakened after the center of circulation moved over land. However, the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Gamane remained well organized. Thunderstorms were still occurring near the center of Gamane’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center of Gamane generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Gamane.

Tropical Cyclone Gamane will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Gamane toward the south during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Gamane will move toward the south over northern Madagascar. Gamane will continue to weaken while the center of circulation is over land. Even though Tropical Cyclone Gamane will weaken, it will continue to drop heavy rain over parts of northern Madagascar. Heavy rain will cause floods in some locations.

An upper level trough southwest of Madagascar will start to steer Tropical Cyclone Gamane toward the southeast in a day or so. The center of Gamane is likely to move back over the Southwest Indian Ocean on Friday. Tropical Cyclone Gamane could strengthen once the center of circulation moves back over water. Gamane could affect La Reunion and Mauritius during the weekend.