Tag Archives: Diane

Tropical Cyclone Diane Passes South of Rodrigues

Tropical Cyclone Diane passed south of Rodrigues on Saturday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Diane was located at latitude 22.2°S and longitude 64.7°E which put it about 190 miles (305 km) south-southeast of Port Mathurin, Maritius.  Diane was moving toward the east-southeast at 23 m.p.h. (37 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 Diane brought winds to tropical storm force when it passed south of Rodrigues.  Diane also caused winds to tropical storm force over Mauritius earlier on Saturday.  A weather station at Le Morne on Mauritius measured a wind speed of 49 m.p.h. (79 km/h).  Several other weather stations on Mauritius including one at the international airport also reported winds to tropical storm force.

Tropical Cyclone Diane will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification.  Diane will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  An upper level trough east of Madagascar will produce northwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Diane could strengthen a little more during the next 12 hours, but the wind shear will cause weakening in a day or two.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Cyclone Diane toward the east-southeast during the next 24 to 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Diane will move quickly away from Rodrigues

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Esami was churning about 1000 miles (1600 km) east of Tropical Cyclone Diane.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Esami was located at latitude 25.9°S and longitude 74.8°E which put it about 1160 miles (1875 km) east-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius.  Esami was moving toward the southeast at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.

Tropical Cyclone Diane Forms North of La Reunion

Tropical Cyclone Diane formed north of La Reunion on Friday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Diane was located at latitude 19.3°S and longitude 56.2°E which put it about 110 miles (175 km) north-northeast of St. Denis, La Reunion.  Diane was moving toward the east-southeast at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

A distinct low level center of circulation developed in an area of low pressure east of Madagascar on Friday and the system was designated as Tropical Cyclone Diane.  The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Cyclone Diane was asymmetrical.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring northwest of the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were developing east of the center of Diane.  Storms near the center of circulation were beginning to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the southeast of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Diane will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Diane will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  An upper level trough west of Madagascar and an upper level ridge east of Mauritius will interact to produce northwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Diane could intensify slowly during the next 24 to 36 hours.

The upper level trough and upper level ridge will steer Tropical Cyclone Diane toward the east-southeast during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Diane could bring wind and rain to Mauritius within 12 hours.  Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.