Tag Archives: Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Jenna Weakens

Tropical Cyclone Jenna weakened on Wednesday as it moved over the South Indian Ocean southwest of the Cocos Islands.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Jenna was located at latitude 18.6°S and longitude 90.9°E which put the center about 580 miles (940 km) southwest of the Cocos Islands.  Jenna was moving toward the west-southwest 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 993 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna weakened steadily on Wednesday as it moved southwest of the Cocos Islands.  The southwestern part of an upper level ridge produced strong northwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Jenna’s circulation.  Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear.  The strong upper level winds also blew the tops off of many of the thunderstorms that were part of Tropical Cyclone Jenna.

There were few thunderstorms left in Tropical Cyclone Jenna because of the strong vertical wind shear.  The bands revolving around the center of Jenna’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  There was little upper level divergence.  Mass was still converging in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the convergence of mass caused the surface pressure to increase.

The strong vertical wind shear also caused the distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Cyclone Jenna to become more asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the southern side of Jenna’s circulation.  Tropical storm force winds extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the northern side of Tropical Cyclone Jenna.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna will move through an environment very unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jenna will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will continue to move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will continue to produce strong northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jenna’s circulation.  Those winds will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Jenna will continue to weaken because of the strong vertical wind shear.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jenna toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Jenna will continue to move farther away from the Cocos Islands.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna Moves Away From the Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Jenna moved farther away from the Cocos Islands on Tuesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Jenna was located at latitude 16.9°S and longitude 93.9°E which put the center about 380 miles (615 km) southwest of the Cocos, Islands.  Jenna was moving toward the southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 976 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna strengthened as it moved away from the Cocos Islands on Tuesday.  A small eye was visible at the center of Jenna’s circulation earlier on Tuesday.  The eye was no longer visible in the most recent satellite images.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye earlier today and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Tropical Cyclone Jenna.  Storms near the core of Jenna generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Jenna increased on Tuesday.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Jenna’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Cyclone Jenna.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the western side of Jenna’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jenna 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 that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jenna’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. Tropical Cyclone Jenna will weaken when the vertical wind shear increases.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna will move around the western side of a high pressure system that is over the eastern part of the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jenna toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Jenna will continue to move farther away from the Cocos Islands.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Jenna rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean on Monday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Jenna was located at latitude 14.8°S and longitude 95.8°E which put the center about 160 miles (260 km) south-southwest of the Cocos, Islands.  Jenna was moving toward the south-southwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology cancelled the Warning for the Cocos Islands when Tropical Cyclone Jenna moved away from the islands.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Monday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Jenna’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Jenna.  Storms near the center of Jenna generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Jenna was small.  The strongest winds were occurring in the northwestern quadrant of Jenna’s circulation.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northwestern quadrant of Tropical Cyclone Jenna.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Jenna’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jenna will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and the will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Jenna will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna will move around the western side of a high pressure system that is over the eastern part of the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jenna toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Jenna will continue to move farther away from the Cocos Islands.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna Develops Near Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Jenna developed over the South Indian Ocean near the Cocos Islands on Sunday night.  At 4:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Jenna was located at latitude 12.7°S and longitude 96.9°E which put the center about 15 miles (25 km) east of the Cocos, Islands.  Jenna was moving toward the south-southwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1000 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the Cocos Islands.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean near the Cocos Islands strengthened on Sunday night and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Jenna.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Jenna exhibited more organization early on Monday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western side of the center of Jenna’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Jenna.  Storms near the center of Jenna generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Cyclone Jenna was relatively symmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (235 km) from the center of Jenna’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jenna will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and the will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Jenna will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna will move around the western side of a high pressure system that is over the eastern part of the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jenna toward the south-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Jenna will move away from the Cocos Islands later today.

Tropical Cyclone Jenna will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Cocos Islands during the next few hours.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Grant was passing north of La Reunion.  At 7:00 a.m.EST Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 16.2°S and longitude 56.0°E which put the center about 325 miles (525 km) north of La Reunion,   Grant was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 1006 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Grant Churns West

Tropical Cyclone Grant continued to churn westward over the South Indian Ocean on Friday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 11.8°S and longitude 89.7°E which put the center about 460 miles (740 km) west of the Cocos Islands.  Grant was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 989 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Grant strengthened a little more on Friday.  Even though Grant strengthened, the structure of its circulation did not change much.  Thunderstorms were still occurring near the center of Grant’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the southern and western parts of Tropical Cyclone Grant.  Bands in the northern and eastern part of Grant’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Grant generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease slowly.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Grant continued to be small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Grant’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Grant will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northwestern part of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Grant could intensify a little more during the next 24 hours.  Grant could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Grant toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Grant will pass south of Diego Garcia in four days.

Tropical Cyclone Grant Moves West of Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Grant moved west of the Cocos Islands on Thursday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 12.4°S and longitude 93.0°E which put the center about 235 miles (380 km) west of the Cocos Islands.  Grant was moving toward the west 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 993 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Grant strengthened a little on Thursday as is moved west of the Cocos Islands.  Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Grant’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the southern and western parts of Tropical Cyclone Grant.  Bands in the northern and eastern part of Grant’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Grant generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease slowly.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Grant continued to be small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Grant’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Grant will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northwestern part of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Grant could intensify a little more during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Grant toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Grant will move farther from the Cocos Islands.  Grant is likely to pass south of Diego Garcia in a few days.

Tropical Cyclone Grant Brings Wind and Rain to Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Grant brought wind and rain to the Cocos Islands on Wednesday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 11.9°S and longitude 96.2°E which put the center about 35 miles (55 km) northwest of the Cocos Islands.  Grant was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 weather station in the Cocos Islands measured a wind gust of 63 m.p.h. (102 km/h).  The weather station also recorded 4.96 inches (126 mm) of rain.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology cancelled the Warning for the Cocos Islands when Tropical Cyclone Grant began to move away on Wednesday evening.

Tropical Cyclone Grant began to intensify on Wednesday evening as it started to move west of the Cocos Islands.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern side of the center of Grant’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant.  Storms near the center of Grant 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 Grant continued to be very small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Grant’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Grant will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Grant will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Grant toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Grant will move away to the west of the Cocos Islands during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant Nears Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Grant was nearing the Cocos Islands on Tuesday evening.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 12.0°S and longitude 98.0°E which put the center about 85 miles (135 km) east of the Cocos Islands.  Grant was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 issued a Warning for the Cocos Islands.

Tropical Cyclone Grant maintained its intensity on Tuesday.   Thunderstorm activity weakened early during the day.  However, more thunderstorms developed in Tropical Cyclone Grant on Tuesday evening.  Thunderstorms near the center of Grant’s circulation began to generate more upper level divergence.  More upper level divergence will pump more mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Grant continued to be very small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Grant’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Grant will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Grant will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Grant toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Grant will move over the Cocos Islands during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the Cocos Islands.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Tropical Cyclone Grant Develops East of Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Grant developed over the South Indian Ocean east of the Cocos Islands on Monday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 12.5°S and longitude 99.8°E which put the center about 210 miles (340 km) east of the Cocos Islands.  Grant was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 issued a Watch for the Cocos Islands.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean east of the Cocos Islands strengthened on Monday and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Grant.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant on Monday.  Thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of Grant’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Grant 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 Grant was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Grant’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Grant will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Grant will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Grant toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Grant will reach the Cocos Islands in less than 48 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Grant will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the Cocos Islands.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Tropical Cyclone Bakung Stalls Again

Tropical Cyclone Bakung stalled again over the South Indian Ocean west of the Cocos Islands on Tuesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Bakung was located at latitude 11.5°S and longitude 93.1°E which put the center about 255 miles (410 km) west of the Cocos Islands.  Bakung was nearly stationary.  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.

Tropical Cyclone Bakung maintained its intensity as it stalled again on Tuesday.  More thunderstorms formed in the circulation around Bakung.  Storms near the center of Bakung generated more upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure remained nearly constant on Tuesday.

The distribution of wind speed in Tropical Cyclone Bakung became asymmetrical on Tuesday.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the southern side of Bakung’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northern side of Tropical Cyclone Bakung.

Tropical Cyclone Bakung will move through an environment that will be marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bakung will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge that is centered east of the Cocos Islands.  The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Bakung’s circulation.  Those winds will  cause the moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification of Tropical Cyclone Bakung. However, Tropical Cyclone Bakung could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours if the upper level winds do not get any stronger.

Tropical Cyclone Bakung will be in a region where the steering winds are weak during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Bakung is anticipated to meander west of the Cocos Islands.