Tag Archives: Chigubo

Tropical Cyclone Freddy Drops Heavy Rain on Southern Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Freddy dropped heavy rain on southern Mozambique on Saturday. At 7:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy was located at latitude 22.4°S and longitude 33.5°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Chigubo, Mozambique. Freddy was moving toward the west 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 998 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy dropped heavy rain on parts of southern Mozambique on Saturday. Freddy stalled over southern Mozambique after it moved inland. Even though Tropical Cyclone Freddy weakened after it moved inland, the circulation around Freddy was still well organized. The heaviest rain was falling in bands of thunderstorms in the eastern side of Freddy’s circulation. Persistent heavy rain in some locations was increasing the risk of flash floods. The strongest winds were also occurring in bands of thunderstorms over the Mozambique Channel.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Enala weakened south-southeast of Rodrigues. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Enala was located at latitude 26.6°S and longitude 67.7°E which put it about 545 miles (880 km) south-southeast of Rodrigues. Enala was moving toward the south-southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 994 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy Hits Southern Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Freddy hit southern Mozambique on Friday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy was located at latitude 22.6°S and longitude 34.6°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) southwest of Vilankulo, Mozambique. Freddy was moving toward the west 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 991 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon before it hit the coast of southern Mozambique on Friday morning. The center of Freddy’s circulation made landfall on the coast about 40 miles (65 km) south of Vilankulo. A circular eye was at the center of circulation. A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Freddy. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move north of a high pressure system over southern Africa. The high pressure system will steer Freddy toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Freddy will move farther inland over southern Mozambique. The center of Freddy’s circulation will pass near Tesenane and Chigubo. Tropical Cyclone Freddy will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland. Freddy will produce gusty winds and heavy rain over southern Mozambique. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Enala moved east-southeast of Rodrigues. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Enala was located at latitude 22.6°S and longitude 70.2°E which put it about 495 miles (800 km) east-southeast of Rodrigues. Enala was moving toward the south-southwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.