Tag Archives: Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Bheki Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Leave a reply

Tropical Cyclone Bheki intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean on Friday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Bheki was located at latitude 13.1°S and longitude 74.0°E which put the center about 415 miles (670 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia.  Bheki was moving toward the southwest 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 970 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Bheki intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Friday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Bheki’s circulation.  An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Cyclone Bheki.  The strongest winds were occurring in the part of the rainband that wrapped around the center of Bheki.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorm were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Bheki.  Storms near the center of Bheki’s circulation 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 Bheki was small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Bheki’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Bheki.

Tropical Cyclone Bheki will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bheki will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Bheki is likely to continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Bheki will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bheki toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Bheki will pass far to the south of Diego Garcia on Saturday.

Tropical Cyclone Bheki Forms Southeast of Diego Garcia

Leave a reply

Tropical Cyclone Bheki formed over the South Indian Southeast of Diego Garcia on Thursday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Bheki was located at latitude 10.5°S and longitude 75.9°E which put the center about 325 miles (525 km) southeast of Diego Garcia.  Bheki was moving toward the southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia strengthened on Thursday and Meteo France la Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Bheki.  Thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Cyclone Bheki.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were also revolving around the center of Bheki’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Bheki began to generate 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 Bheki was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Bheki’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Bheki will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bheki will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Bheki will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Bheki could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Bheki will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Bheki toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Bheki will pass far to the south of Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Ancha Forms Southeast of Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Ancha formed over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia on Tuesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ancha was located at latitude 11.7°S and longitude 74.2°E which put the center about 335 miles (540 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia.  Ancha was moving toward the south-southwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 994 mb.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia intensified on Tuesday night and Meteo France la Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Ancha.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Ancha exhibited more organization on Wednesday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern side of the center of Ancha’s circulation.  Even though the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Ancha exhibited more organization, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern and southern parts of Ancha’s circulation.  Bands in the northern and western parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Ancha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical cyclone.

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

Tropical Cyclone Ancha will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ancha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ancha’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The combination of cooler water and moderate vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Ancha to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Ancha will move around the western end of high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ancha toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Ancha will pass well to the south of Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Neville Weakens Over South Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone Neville weakened over the South Indian Ocean on Sunday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Neville was located at latitude 23.5°S and longitude 88.8°E which put it about 930 miles (1500 km) south-southwest of the Cocos Islands. Neville was moving toward the southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1002 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Neville was weakening rapidly over the South Indian Ocean on Sunday. Neville was under the eastern part of an upper level trough. The upper level trough was producing strong northwesterly winds that were blowing across the top of Neville’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear was making the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Cyclone Neville asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were still occurring in the southeastern quadrant of Neville’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of Tropical Cyclone Neville consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Neville will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Neville will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C. The upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean will continue to produce strong northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Neville’s circulation. Those winds will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Neville will weaken during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Neville will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Neville toward the west-southwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Neville will remain far southeast of Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Neville Passes South of Cocos Islands

Tropical Cyclone Neville passed south of the Cocos Islands on Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Neville was located at latitude 20.8°S and longitude 93.1°E which put it about 630 miles (1015 km) south-southwest of the Cocos, Islands. Neville was moving toward the west-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 985 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Neville was weakening as it moved over the South Indian Ocean south of the Cocos Islands on Saturday. The distributions of thunderstorms and clouds in Neville was becoming asymmetrical. Some drier air appeared to be entering the northeastern part of Neville’s circulation. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and western parts of Tropical Cyclone Neville. Bands in the northern and eastern parts of Neville’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Storms near the center of Tropical Cyclone Neville still generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south of the tropical cyclone. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Neville’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Neville will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Neville will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. However, an upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Neville’s circulation. Those winds will also cause the vertical wind shear to increase. Tropical Cyclone Neville will weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Neville will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Neville toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Neville will remain far southeast of Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou Strengthens to Equivalent of Cat. 4 Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the South Indian Ocean on Sunday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou was located at latitude 22.5°S and longitude 82.3°E which put it about 1150 miles (1855 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia. Djoungou was moving toward the southeast at 33 m.p.h. (54 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (220 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 942 mb.

A small circular was visible at the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou earlier on Sunday, but the eye was no longer evident on Sunday afternoon. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped lmass away from the tropical cyclone.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Djoungou increased on Sunday. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Djoungou’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Djoungou was 28.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 25.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 53.9.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move through an environment unfavorable for a strong tropical cyclone during the next 36 hours. Djoungou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. It will move under the eastern part of an upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level trough will produce strong northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Djoungou’s circulation. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. Strong vertical wind shear and cooler water will cause Tropical Cyclone Djoungou to weaken rapidly during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Djoungou toward the east-southeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move far to the south of the Cocos Islands in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, a tropical depression formed northwest of Mauritius. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of the tropical depression was located at latitude 15.5°S and longitude 5363°E which put it about 405 miles (650 km) northwest of Port Louis, Mauritius. The tropical depression was moving toward the east-northeast 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 1004 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the South Indian Ocean south of Diego Garcia on Saturday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou was located at latitude 17.1°S and longitude 73.3°E which put it about 660 miles (1065 km) south of Diego Garcia. Djoungou was moving toward the east-southeast at 22 m.p.h. (35 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

A small circular eye formed at the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou as it rapidly intensified on Saturday. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Djoungou also became more symmetrical when Djoungou rapidly intensified. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Djoungou’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Djoungou was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 40.8.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Djoungou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over 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 Djoungou is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. However, Djoungou could start to weaken if the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall and concentric eyewalls form.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Djoungou toward the east-southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move farther southeast of Diego Garcia.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean on Friday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou was located at latitude 16.2°S and longitude 67.1°E which put it about 745 miles (1200 km) south-southwest of Diego Garcia. Djoungou was moving toward the east at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 988 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou intensified rapidly over the South Indian Ocean on Friday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Djoungou’s circulation. A small eye was visible intermittently at the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou. The developing eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Djoungou. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Djoungou’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the other parts of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Djoungou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over 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 Djoungou will intensify during the next 36 hours. Djoungou could intensify more rapidly once the eye and eyewall are fully formed. Tropical Cyclone Djoungou could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Djoungou toward the east-southeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will pass south of Diego Garcia in 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou Develops North of Rodrigues

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou developed over the South Indian Ocean north of Rodrigues on Thursday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou was located at latitude 15.3°S and longitude 65.1°E which put it about 315 miles (505 km) north-northeast of Port Mathurin, Rodrigues. Djoungou was moving toward the east at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 1001 mb.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean north of Rodrigues strengthened on Thursday and Meteo France La Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Djoungou. The circulation around Djoungou was organizing quickly. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern and southern sides of the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou. Storms near the center of Djoungou’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Thunderstorms developed in bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou. Bands in the western part of Djoungou’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Cyclone Djoungou was asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Djoungou’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou. The winds in the western half of Djoungou were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Djoungou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over 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 Djoungou will intensify during the next 24 hours. Djoungou could intensify rapidly at times. Tropical Cyclone Djoungou could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Djoungou toward the east during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move farther away from Rodrigues. Djoungou could pass south of Diego Garcia in a few days.

Anggrek Transitions to an Extratropical Cyclone

Former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek made a transition to an extratropical cyclone over the South Indian Ocean during Tuesday night. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 33.3°S and longitude 84.8°E which put it about 1925 miles (3105 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia. Anggrek was moving toward the east-southeast at 40 m.p.h. (65 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 983 mb.

Former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek made a transition to a powerful extratropical cyclone over the South Indian Ocean. Anggrek moved over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 22°C. It moved under the eastern side of an upper level trough that is east of Madagascar. The upper level trough produced northwesterly winds that caused strong vertical wind shear. The combination of colder water and strong wind shear caused formal Tropical Cyclone Anggrek to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The transition to an extratropical cyclone also caused changes to the structure of former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. The strong northwesterly winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere blew the tops off of many of the thunderstorms in Anggrek’s circulation. Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the southern part of former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. Bands in the northern part of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the eastern side of former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Anggrek’s circulation.

The upper level trough east of Madagascar will steer former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek quickly toward the east-southeast. On its anticipated track, Former Tropical Cyclone Anggrek could approach southwestern Australia later this week.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, a tropical depression formed east of Rodrigues. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of the tropical depression was located at latitude 19.9°S and longitude 66.2°E which put it about 175 miles (280 km) east of Port Mathurin, Rodrigues. The tropical depression was moving toward the south-southeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 996 mb.