Tropical Cyclone Gombe dropped rain on northern Madagascar on Tuesday. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gombe was located at latitude 15.3°S and longitude 49.0°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) west-northwest of Maroantsetra, Madagascar. Gombe was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h (19 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 1001 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe made landfall on the northeastern coast of Madagascar south of Ambohistralanana on Monday night. The circulation around Gombe exhibited much more organization prior to landfall. A well developed center of circulation was apparent on conventional and microwave satellite images. The center of Tropical Cyclone Gombe was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Gombe. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation at the time of landfall. Tropical Cyclone Gombe weakened slowly after it made landfall.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Gombe toward the west. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move across northern Madagascar on Tuesday. Gombe could move over the Mozambique Channel on Wednesday. Tropical Cyclone Gombe will continue to drop locally heavy rain over parts of northern Madagascar. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will move through an environment favorable for intensification when it reaches the Mozambique Channel on Wednesday. Gombe will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 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 Gombe is likely to intensify over the Mozambique Channel. Gombe could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon later this week.