Tag Archives: Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek Strengthens to Equivalent of a Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean west of Cocos Islands on Saturday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 12.0°S and longitude 92.5°E which put it about 290 miles (465 km) west of Cocos Islands. Anggrek was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 981 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Saturday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Anggrek’s circulation. However, the distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western and northern parts of Anggrek’s circulation. Bands in the eastern and southern parts of Anggrek consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Anggrek.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Anggrek 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 blow toward the top of Anggrek’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification but the shear might not be enough to prevent strengthening. Tropical Cyclone Anggrek could strengthen a little during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will be in an area where the steering winds are weak during the next 24 hours. Anggrek is likely to meander over South Indian Ocean west of Cocos Islands during the next day or so. A high pressure system west of Australia is likely to steer Anggrek toward the southwest early next week. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will eventually move farther west of Cocos Islands.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek Meanders West of Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek meandered over the South Indian Ocean west of Cocos Islands on Friday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 12.7°S and longitude 92.3°E which put it about 305 miles (490 km) west of Cocos Islands. Anggrek was moving toward the west-southwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 988 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek strengthened a little on Friday as it meandered west of Cocos Islands. The inner end of a rainband was wrapped around the western and northern sides of the center of Anggrek’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. 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 130 miles (210 km) from the center of Anggrek’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Anggrek 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 blow toward the top of Anggrek’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear could prevent Tropical Cyclone Anggrek from strengthening during the next 24 hours.

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

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek Moves West of Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek moved west of Cocos Islands on Thursday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 12.3°S and longitude 93.1°E which put it about 250 miles (400 km) west of Cocos Islands. Anggrek was moving toward the west-southwest 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 993 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek did not change much during the past 24 hours. The inner end of a rainband was still wrapped around the western and northern sides of the center of Anggrek’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. 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 100 miles (126 km) from the center of Anggrek’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move through an environment a little more favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Anggrek will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the eastern section of the South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Anggrek is likely to strengthen during the next 24 hours.

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

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Belal meandered south-southeast of Rodrigues. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Belal was located at latitude 23.9°S and longitude 65.5°E which put it about 315 miles (510 km) south-southeast of Port Mathurin, Rodigues. Belal was moving toward the northeast at 4 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 992 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek Spins Northwest of Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek continued to spin over the South Indian Ocean northwest of the Cocos Islands on Wednesday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 10.8°S and longitude 93.9°E which put it about 205 miles (330 km) northwest of Cocos Islands. Anggrek was moving toward the south-southwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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.

A Watch was in effect for the Cocos Islands.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek exhibited a little more organization on Wednesday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and northern sides of the center of Anggrek’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. 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 75 miles (120 km) from the center of Anggrek’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Anggrek 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 over the eastern part of the South Indian Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Anggrek’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent strengthening. Tropical Cyclone Anggrek could strengthen during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move around the western part of a high pressure system west of Australia. The pressure system will start to steer Anggrek toward the south-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move west-northwest of Cocos Islands on Thursday.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Belal churned south of Rodrigues. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Belal was located at latitude 24.2°S and longitude 63.9°E which put it about 310 miles (500 km) south of Port Mathurin, Rodigues. Belal was moving toward the east 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 987 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek Meanders Northwest of Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek meandered slowly over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Cocos Islands on Tuesday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 9.7°S and longitude 94.1°E which put it about 255 miles (410 km) northwest of Cocos Islands. Anggrek was moving toward the east-southeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 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.

A Watch was in effect for the Cocos Islands.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek strengthened gradually on Tuesday is it meandered over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Cocos Islands. More thunderstorms formed in bands revolving around the center of Anggrek’s circulation. 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 75 miles (120 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 ours. Anggrek 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 over the eastern part of the South Indian Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Anggrek’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent strengthening. Tropical Cyclone Anggrek could strengthen more during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move around the western part of a high pressure system west of Australia. The pressure system will start to steer Anggrek toward the south during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will remain northwest of Cocos Islands on Wednesday.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Belal moved south of Rodrigues. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Belal was located at latitude 24.3°S and longitude 62.9°E which put it about 310 miles (500 km) south of Port Mathurin, Rodigues. Belal was moving toward the southeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 986 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Belal Moves Southeast of Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Belal moved southeast of Mauritius on Tuesday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Belal was located at latitude 23.2°S and longitude 60.2°E which put it about 275 miles (440 km) southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. Belal was moving toward the east-southeast 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 989 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Belal began a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Tuesday as it moved over the Southwest Indian Ocean southeast of Mauritius. An upper level trough southeast of Madagascar was producing northwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Belal’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The strong upper level winds were also tilting the upper part of Tropical Cyclone Belal to the southeast of the lower part of Belal’s circulation. The strong vertical wind shear also caused the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Cyclone Belal to become asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southeastern part of Belal’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of Tropical Cyclone Belal consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Belal.

Tropical Cyclone Belal will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Belal will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. The upper level trough southeast of Madagascar will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear will cause Belal to continue to weaken gradually. The strong vertical wind shear will also cause Tropical Cyclone Belal to continue to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Belal will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Belal toward the east-southeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Belal will pass south of Rodrigues on Wednesday.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Anggrek meandered northwest of Cocos Islands. At 7:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 9.5°S and longitude 93.9°E which put it about 285 miles (455 km) northwest of Cocos Islands. Anggrek was moving toward the southeast at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 996 mb. A Watch was in effect for Cocos Islands.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek Forms Northwest of Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek formed over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Cocos Islands on Monday. At 7:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 9.4°S and longitude 93.8°E which put it about 285 miles (455 km) northwest of Cocos Islands. Anggrek was moving toward the east-northeast at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 994 mb.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Cocos Islands strengthened on Monday and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Anggrek’s circulation. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern side of the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Anggrek.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 ours. Anggrek 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 over the eastern part of the South Indian Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Anggrek’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent strengthening. Tropical Cyclone Anggrek could strengthen during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move around the southern part of a near equatorial ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The ridge will steer Anggrek toward the east during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will meander slowly northwest of the Cocos Islands. A high pressure system west of Australia is likely to steer Anggrek toward the south later this week. A Watch has been issued for Cocos Islands.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Belal moved south of Mauritius. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Belal was located at latitude 22.3°S and longitude 58.3°E which put it about 140 miles (230 km) south-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. Belal was moving toward the southeast at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 981 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Herman Weakens Southeast of Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Herman weakened over the South Indian Ocean southeast of the Cocos Islands on Saturday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Herman was located at latitude 19.9°S and longitude 106.7°E which put it about 865 miles (1395 km) southeast of the Cocos Islands. Herman was moving toward the south-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.

Tropical Cyclone Herman weakened on Saturday. An upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean produced northwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Herman’s circulation. Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear caused Tropical Cyclone Herman to weaken. An eye was no longer evident on satellite images of Herman. The inner end of a rainband still wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of Herman’s circulation. The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Herman was small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Herman. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Herman will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Herman will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. However, the upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean will continue to produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Herman’s circulation. Those winds will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Herman to weaken. Since Herman’s circulation is small, the tropical cyclone could weaken rapidly at times.

Tropical Cyclone Herman will move north of high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Herman toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Herman will remain far to the south of the Cocos Islands.

Tropical Cyclone Herman Strengthens to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Herman strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia during Thursday night. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Herman was located at latitude 18.0°S and longitude 106.8°E which put it about 780 miles (1260 km) east-southeast of Cocos Islands. Herman was moving toward the southeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 947 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Herman strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the South Indian Ocean during Thursday night. A small circular eye was present at the center of Herman’s circulation. A ring of strong 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 Herman. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southeast of the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Herman was small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Herman. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Herman was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 32.2. Tropical Cyclone Herman was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis made landfall in northwest Florida in 2005.

Tropical Cyclone Herman will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Herman will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. However, an upper level trough will approach Tropical Cyclone Herman from the west. The upper level trough will produce northwesterly winds that will get stronger during the next 24 hours. Those stronger winds will blow toward the top of Herman’s circulation and the vertical wind shear will increase. More vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Herman to weaken. Since Herman’s circulation is small, the tropical cyclone could weaken rapidly when the wind shear increases.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Cyclone Herman toward the south-southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Herman will move farther away from Cocos Islands. When the stronger vertical wind shear causes Herman to weaken, it will be steered by the winds closer to the surface. Those winds will steer Tropical Cyclone Herman toward the west during the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Herman Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Herman rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Herman was located at latitude 16.5°S and longitude 106.0°E which put it about 665 miles (1070 km) east-southeast of Cocos Islands. Herman was moving toward the south-southeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Herman rapidly intensified to nearly the equivalent of a major hurricane over the South Indian Ocean on Thursday. A small circular eye was present at the center of Herman’s circulation. A ring of strong 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 Herman. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southeast of the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Herman was small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Herman. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Herman was 19.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 28.6. Tropical Cyclone Herman was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Zeta when Zeta made landfall in Louisiana in 2020.

Tropical Cyclone Herman will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Herman will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. However, an upper level trough will approach Tropical Cyclone Herman from the west. The upper level trough will produce northwesterly winds that will get stronger during the next 24 hours. Those stronger winds will blow toward the top of Herman’s circulation and the vertical wind shear will increase. More vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Herman to weaken.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Cyclone Herman toward the south-southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Herman will move farther away from Cocos Islands. When the stronger vertical wind shear causes Herman to weaken, it will be steered by the winds closer to the surface. Those winds will steer Tropical Cyclone Herman toward the west during the weekend.