Tag Archives: Andaman Islands

Tropical Cyclone Forming over Bay of Bengal

A tropical cyclone was forming over the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of a low pressure system was located at latitude 8.3°N and longitude 88.3°E which put it about 370 miles (595 km) southwest of Port Blair. The low pressure system was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 998 mb.

A low pressure system was strengthening over the southern Bay of Bengal on Tuesday morning. The India Meteorological Department classified the system as a well marked low pressure system and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center designated the system as Invest 91B. The circulation around the low pressure system exhibited more organization on Tuesday morning. Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were beginning to revolve around the center of circulation. The strongest bands were in the southern and western parts of the low pressure system. Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the low pressure system. The removal of mass was causing the surface pressure to decrease.

The low pressure system will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few days. The low pressure system will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the center of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. The low pressure system will intensify during the next 48 hours. It is likely to strengthen to a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours. The low pressure system is likely to intensify to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon later this week.

The low pressure system will move around the western end of a high pressure system that extends from the Western North Pacific Ocean to Southeast Asia. The high pressure system will steer the low pressure system toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center of circulation will pass west of the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands. Bands of showers and thunderstorms in the eastern side of the circulation will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands. The low pressure system will move toward the north-northeast later this week. It is likely to make landfall near the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar in a few days. The low pressure system is likely to be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it makes landfall.

Tropical Cyclone 02B Develops over Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone 02B developed over the Bay of Bengal southwest of Port Blair on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone 02B was located at latitude 9.9°N and longitude 90.9°E which put it about 165 miles (265 km) southwest of Port Blair, Andaman Islands. Tropical Cyclone 02B was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h (15 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 995 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the eastern Bay of Bengal strengthened on Saturday morning and the center was designated as Tropical Cyclone 02B. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Cyclone 02B. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern side of the center of circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone 02B will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. The tropical cyclone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31˚C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the low pressure system. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be large enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone 02B will intensify during the next 36 hours and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone 02B will move around the southwestern side of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia. The high pressure system will steer the tropical cyclone toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone 02B will move slowly away from the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands. The tropical cyclone will continue to drop locally heavy rain over the Nicobar Islands and the Andaman Islands until it moves farther northwest of those areas. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Low Pressure System Forms over Eastern Bay of Bengal

A low pressure system formed over the eastern Bay of Bengal near the Nicobar Islands on Friday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of a low pressure system was located at latitude 8.6°N and longitude 92.5°E which put it about 45 miles (75 km) south-southwest of Malacca, Nicobar Islands and about 205 miles (330 km) south of Port Blair, Andaman Islands. The low pressure system was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h (15 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 1001 mb.

A surface low pressure system, also designated as Invest 92B, formed over the eastern Bay of Bengal near the Nicobar Islands on Friday morning. The circulation around the low pressure system exhibited more organization on conventional and microwave satellite images. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in a band just to the west of the center of the low pressure system. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence that was pumping mass away from the low pressure system. The removal of mass was causing the surface pressure to decrease.

The low pressure system will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The low pressure system will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31˚C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the low pressure system. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be large enough to prevent intensification. The low pressure system will strengthen during the next 24 hours and it could intensify to a tropical cyclone during the weekend.

The low pressure system will move around the southwestern side of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia. The high pressure system will steer the low pressure system toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the low pressure system will move slowly away from the Nicobar Islands. The low pressure system will drop locally heavy rain over the Nicobar Islands and the Andaman Islands. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Bulbul Strengthens over Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Bulbul strengthened over the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Bulbul was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 89.9°E which put it about 520 miles (840 km) south of Kolkata, India.  Bulbul was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 985 mb.

A low pressure system that was formerly designated at Tropical Storm Matmo when it was over the South China Sea moved across southeast Asia and over the Bay of Bengal during the past few days.  The low pressure system became nearly stationary west of the Andaman Islands.  More thunderstorms began to develop and bands began to form on Tuesday.  The low pressure system strengthened on Wednesday and the India Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Bulbul.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Bulbul was still organizing on Wednesday night.  More thunderstorms were developing around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Bulbul.  The stronger rainbands were in the western half of the circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Bulbul will move through an area favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours.  Bulbul will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge over southeast Asia.  The ridge will produce southerly 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 Bulbul is likely to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon within 36 to 48 hours.

The ridge over southeast Asia will steer Tropical Cyclone Bulbul toward the north during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Bulbul will approach the coast around the northern Bay of Bengal in two or three days.  Bulbul could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it approaches the coast.

Elsewhere, a much weaker Tropical Cyclone Maha neared the west coast of India.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Maha was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 70.2°E which put it about 75 miles (120 km) southwest of Dui, India.  Maha was moving toward the east-northeast 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 1004 mb.  Tropical Cyclone Maha will drop rain of southern Gujarat on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Pabuk Brings Wind and Rain to Southern Thailand

Tropical Storm Pabuk brought wind and rain to southern Thailand on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Pabuk was located at latitude 8.7°N and longitude 98.5°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) northeast of Phuket, Thailand.  Pabuk was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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.

Tropical Storm Pabuk made landfall near Sichon in southern Thailand.  Pabuk brought gusty winds to much of the Isthmus of Kra.  It also dropped heavy rain over parts of southern Thailand.  Tropical Storm Pabuk weakened when it crossed the Isthmus of Kra, but the core of the circulation appears to have remained intact.  Pabuk is moving over the Andaman Sea and it still has a well defined low level center of circulation.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of the tropical storm.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms are located in the northeastern part of the circulation which is over the Gulf of Thailand.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will move into an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Pabuk will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  An upper level ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean will produce southeasterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear, which will inhibit intensification.  However, the wind shear may not be strong enough to prevent Tropical Storm Pabuk from strengthening.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will continue to move around the western end of the ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Pabuk toward the west-northwest for another 24 to 36 hours.  Pabuk will turn more toward the north when it reaches the western end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Pabuk will reach the Andaman Islands in about 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 01W formed southeast of the Marshall Islands.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Depression 01W was located at latitude 4.9°N and longitude 174.0°E which put it about 250 miles (400 km) southeast of Majuro, Marshall Islands.  It was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1004 mb.  Tropical Depression 01W is forecast to move toward the west-northwest and strengthen.  On its anticipated track it could move toward Majuro, Kwajalein, Ujelang, and the Marianas.

Tropical Storm Pabuk Nears Southern Thailand

Tropical Storm Pabuk neared southern Thailand late on Thursday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Pabuk was located at latitude 8.0°N and longitude 101.0°E which put it about 110 miles (170 km) southeast of Sichon, Thailand.  Pabuk was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

Tropical Storm Pabuk exhibited more organization on Thursday.  A broken ring of showers and thunderstorms surrounded the center of circulation.  Stronger thunderstorms were occurring in the western part of the ring, while weaker storms and showers comprised the rest of the ring.  Several bands of thunderstorms were on the western side of Tropical Storm Pabuk.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were also on the eastern side of the circulation.  Storms near the center of circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the northwest of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 100 miles (160 km) from the center.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will move through an environment favorable for intensification for the next six to twelve hours.  Pabuk will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will produce southeasterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification.  Pabuk could intensify during the short term.  It will reach the coast of southern Thailand in less than 12 hours.  Tropical Storm Pabuk will weaken when it moves across the Isthmus of Kra.  Pabuk could strengthen again when it moves over the Andaman Sea in a day or so.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will move around the western end of the subtropical ridge, which will steer the tropical storm in a northwesterly direction.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Pabuk will make landfall on the coast of southern Thailand near Sichon in a few hours.  Pabuk will move across the Isthmus of Kra and into the Andaman Sea in a day or so.  Tropical Storm Pabuk could reach the Andaman Islands within 60 hours.

Tropical Storm Pabuk will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to southern Thailand.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods, especially in areas of steeper terrain.

Tropical Cyclone Forms Near Andaman Islands

A tropical cyclone formed near the Andaman Islands over the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone 05B was located at latitude 11.6°N and longitude 92.1°E which put it about 710 miles (1145 km) southeast of Visakhapatnam, India.  The tropical cyclone was moving toward the north-northeast 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 997 mb.

An area of thunderstorms moved from the western Pacific Ocean into the southeastern Bay of Bengal.  The area of thunderstorms turned slowly northward near the Nicobar and Andaman Islands.  A distinct center of circulation began to organize inside the area of thunderstorms.  The Indian Meteorological Department classified the low pressure area as a depression and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center designated the system as Tropical Cyclone 05B.

The circulation of Tropical Cyclone 05B is still organizing.  A primary band of thunderstorms wraps around the northern and western side of the center of circulation.  Additional bands of thunderstorms are forming in the eastern half of the circulation.  Microwave satellite imagery suggests that an eye could be developing in the middle levels of the circulation.  The thunderstorms near the center are generating upper level divergence that is pumping out mass toward the northeast of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone will be moving through an environment that is favorable for intensification.  It will be moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  An upper level ridge to the west of the cyclone is producing northerly winds which are blowing across the top it.  However, the vertical wind shear is not significantly inhibiting the organization of the tropical cyclone.  Tropical Cyclone 05B could reach hurricane intensity in a couple of days.

A subtropical ridge is currently steering Tropical Cyclone 05B toward the north.  The center is moving just to the west of the Andaman Islands.  The subtropical ridge is forecast to strengthen and build toward the west.  As the ridge strengthens and extends farther west, it will start to steer the tropical cyclone toward the west.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone 05B could approach the east coast of India in three or four days.

Tropical Cyclone 05B will continue to bring gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of the Andaman Islands on Thursday.  The tropical cyclone could bring strong winds, locally heavy rain, a storm surge and mudslides to southern India in a few days.