Tag Archives: Iharana

Tropical Cyclone Gamane Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Gamane brought strong winds and heavy rain to northern Madagacar on Wednesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gamane was located at latitude 13.5°S and longitude 49.1°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) south of the Ambilobe, Madagascar. Gamane was moving toward the southwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 991 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gamane rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon before it made landfall on the coast of northern Madagascar near Iharana on Tuesday night. The circulation around Gamane was small at the time of landfall. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Gamane at the time of landfall. Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Gamane’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gamane weakened after the center of circulation moved over land. However, the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Gamane remained well organized. Thunderstorms were still occurring near the center of Gamane’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center of Gamane generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Gamane.

Tropical Cyclone Gamane will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Gamane toward the south during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Gamane will move toward the south over northern Madagascar. Gamane will continue to weaken while the center of circulation is over land. Even though Tropical Cyclone Gamane will weaken, it will continue to drop heavy rain over parts of northern Madagascar. Heavy rain will cause floods in some locations.

An upper level trough southwest of Madagascar will start to steer Tropical Cyclone Gamane toward the southeast in a day or so. The center of Gamane is likely to move back over the Southwest Indian Ocean on Friday. Tropical Cyclone Gamane could strengthen once the center of circulation moves back over water. Gamane could affect La Reunion and Mauritius during the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Gamane Forms Near Northern Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Gamane formed over the South Indian Ocean near northern Madagascar on Monday night. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gamane was located at latitude 12.2°S and longitude 50.7°E which put it about 90 miles (145 km) east of the Antsiranana, Madagascar. Gamane was moving toward the northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean near northern Madagascar strengthened during Monday night and Meteo France La Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Gamane. The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Gamane was organizing quickly. Numerous thunderstorms formed near the center of Gamane’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Gamane.

Tropical Cyclone Gamane will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Gamane 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 Southwest Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Part of the circulation around the western side of Gamane will move over northern Madagascar, which is the only factor that could inhibit intensification. Tropical Cyclone Gamane will intensify during the next 24 hours. Gamane could intensify rapidly at times. Tropical Cyclone Gamane is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon, if the center of circulation remains over water.

Tropical Cyclone Gamane will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Gamane slowly toward the south-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Gamane will move close to the coast of northeastern Madagascar. The center of circulation could pass very close to Iharana, Sambava, Antalaha, and Ambohitralanana.

Tropical Cyclone Gamane will bring strong winds to the coast of northeastern Madagascar. Gamane will also drop heavy rain over parts of northeastern Madagascar. Tropical Cyclone Gamane will move slowly during the next 24 hours. So, prolonged heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Herold Drops Heavy Rain Over Northeast Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Herold dropped heavy rain over parts of northeast Madagascar on Saturday.  A rainband on the western side of Herold was dropping locally heavy rain over northern Madagascar from Mananara to Iharana.  At 5:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Herold was located at latitude 15.0°S and longitude 51.2°E which put it about 545 miles (880 km) northwest of Port Louis, Mauritius.  Herold was moving toward the east at 1 m.p.h. (2 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 Herold strengthened into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Saturday.  A large ragged circular eye with a diameter of 50 miles (80 km) formed at the center of Herold.  A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  One strong band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the eastern and southern sides of Tropical Cyclone Herold.  A second strong band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the western and northern sides of Herold.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Herold will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours.  Herold will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under an upper level ridge where the winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Herold will intensify during the next 48 hours and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Herold has been in an area where the steering winds are weak and it has not moved very far during the past 24 hours.  A subtropical high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean will strengthen.  Herold will move around the southwestern part of the high pressure system and the high will steer the tropical cyclone toward the east-southeast.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Herold will move away from Madagascar on Sunday.  The center of Herold could pass north of Mauritius in three days.  Tropical Cyclone Herold could approach Rodrigues in 84 to 90 hours.