Tag Archives: Hikaa

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa Makes Landfall on Central Coast of Oman

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa made landfall on the central coast of Oman near Duqm on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hikaa was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 56.4°W which put it about 85 miles (135 km) west of Duqm, Oman.  Hikaa was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 981 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa was the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it made landfall on the central coast of Oman.  Hikaa brought wind and rain to Masirah Island before it reached the coast of Oman.  Tropical Cyclone Hikaa brought strong winds and locally heavy rain to the coast near Duqm when it made landfall.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Hikaa was small.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  The small size of Hikaa will limit the potential for serious damage to locations close to the track of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa will drop heavy rain over portions of east-central Oman.  The rain could be heavy enough to cause flash floods in some locations.  Hikaa will weaken quickly as it moves into the drier environment over central Oman.  The small circulation around Tropical Cyclone Hikaa means that it will spin down fairly quickly now that it is over land.

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon East of Oman

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa rapidly intensified into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the northern Arabian Sea east of Oman on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hikaa was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 61.7°E which put it about 225 miles (365 km) east of Masirah Island.  Hikaa was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 975mb.

Tropical Storm Hikaa intensified from the equivalent of a minimal tropical storm into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon in 24 hours.  A small eye developed quickly at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Hikaa was very small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 15  miles (25 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Hikaa may have reached its peak intensity.  Hikaa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  So, there will be enough energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.  However, the atmospheric conditions will become less favorable.  An upper level ridge over southwestern Asia will produce easterly winds which will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  In addition, the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Hikaa will begin to draw drier air from eastern Africa into the circulation on Tuesday.  Since Hikaa is so small, the tropical cyclone could weaken quickly if the environment becomes less favorable.

The ridge over southwestern Asia will steer Tropical Cyclone Hikaa toward the west.  On its anticipated track Hikaa could approach the coast of Oman near Masirah Island in less than 18 hours.  Tropical Cyclone Hikaa will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the central coast of Oman near Masirah Island.  Heavy rain could cause isolated flash floods.