Tropical Cyclone Jeruto developed over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Jeruto was located at latitude 16.4°S and longitude 82.7°E which put it about 950 miles (1535 km) southeast of Diego Garcia.  Jeruto was moving toward the west-southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1003 mb.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Cyclone Jeruto was asymmetrical.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands southeast of the center of circulation.  An upper level trough east of Madagascar and an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean were interacting to produce strong northwesterly winds.  Those winds were blowing across the top of Tropical Cyclone Jeruto and they were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The strong shear was blowing the upper portion of the tropical cyclone to the southeast of the lower level circulation.  The strong wind shear was the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  Bands closer to the center of circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Cyclone Jeruto will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next several days.  Jeruto 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 upper level trough and ridge will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  The shear could be strong enough to blow the upper part of Tropical Cyclone Jeruto to the southeast of the lower level circulation.  Jeruto is likely to weaken during the next several days.

Since Tropical Cyclone Jeruto is likely to weaken and the circulation become more shallow, it will be steered by winds in the lower troposphere.  Those winds will steer Jeruto toward the west-southwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Jeruto will pass well south of Diego Garcia.