Tag Archives: Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Gezani Weakens

Tropical Cyclone Gezani weakened on Monday as it started to move away from southern Madagascar.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani was located at latitude 26.0°S and longitude 43.6°E which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) south of Toliara, Madagascar.  Gezani was moving toward the east-southeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 984 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani started to weaken on Monday.  An upper level trough east of South Africa was producing strong northwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Gezani’s circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The strong upper level winds were also blowing the tops off of thunderstorms in the northern and western parts of Tropical Cyclone Gezani.  Bands in the northern and western parts of Gezani’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern and southern parts of Tropical Cyclone Gezani.

The strong vertical wind shear was also affecting the distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Cyclone Gezani,  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) in the southern half of Gezani’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the northern part of Tropical Cyclone Gezani.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gezani will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  However, the upper level trough that is east of South Africa will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani will continue to weaken during the next 24 hours because of the strong vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will also cause Gezani to continue to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Tuesday.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move around the western end of high pressure system that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gezani toward the south during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move farther away from southern Madagascar on Tuesday.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani Moves Toward Southern Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Gezani moved toward southern Madagascar on Sunday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani was located at latitude 25.8°S and longitude 41.3°E which put the center about 225 miles (365 km) southwest of Toliara, Madagascar.  Gezani was moving toward the east-northeast at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Tropical Storm Gezani did not change much on Sunday.  Thunderstorms were still occurring near the center of Gezani’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani.  Storms near the center of Gezani generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass in the upper levels almost exactly the same as the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure was relatively constant on Sunday.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Gezani expanded a little on Sunday.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Gezani’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Cyclone Gezani.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) in the other quadrants of Gezani.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gezani will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough that is east of South Africa.  The upper level trough will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Gezani’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani will weaken during the next 24 hours because of the moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will cause Gezani to continue to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Monday.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Cyclone Gezani toward the east during the next 12 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move closer to southern Madagascar during the next 12 hours.  A high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean is forecast to start to steer Tropical Cyclone Gezani toward the south on Monday before Gezani reaches southern Madagascar.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani Moves Over Mozambique Channel

Tropical Cyclone Gezani moved over the Mozambique Channel on Wednesday after it crossed central Madagascar.  There were reports of damage and casualties in Madagascar.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani was located at latitude 19.9°S and longitude 41.7°E which put the center about 455 miles (735 km) east of Beira, Mozambique.  Gezani was moving toward the west-southwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 999 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani began to strengthen again after Gezani moved over the Mozambique Channel.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of Gezani’s circulation.  Thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani.  Storms near the center of Gezani generated more upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of more mass cause the surface pressure to start to decrease again.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Gezani was still small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Gezani’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gezani will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Mozambique Channel.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani will intensify to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Gezani toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Gezani will moved closer to Mozambique.  Gezani will approach the coast of Mozambique in 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani Hits Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Gezani hit Madagascar near Toamasina with strong winds and heavy rain on Tuesday afternoon.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani was located at latitude 18.4°S and longitude 47.6°E which put the center about 75 miles (120 km) northeast of Antananarivo, Madagascar.  Gezani was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 Gezani hit Madagascar near Toamasina on Tuesday afternoon.  A weather station at the airport in Toamasina (FMMT) reported a reported a sustained wind speed of 54 m.p.h. (87 km/h) and a wind gust of 84 m.p.h. (135 km/h) at 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday.  That observation was made while Gezani was approaching Toamasina.  There have not been any additional reports from that weather station since that time.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani was the equivalent of a major hurricane when it hit Madagascar.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km) at the time of landfall.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Gezani’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Gezani at the time of landfall was 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 11.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.6. Tropical Cyclone Gezani was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the South Indian Ocean.   The high pressure system will steer Gezani toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Gezani will continue to move across central Madagascar on Wednesday.  Gezani will reach the Mozambique Channel on Wednesday night.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will continue to bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to central Madagascar.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani will be capable of causing serious damage to central Madagascar.  Widespread outages of electricity are likely.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will continue to weaken as it moves across central Madagascar.  Gezani is likely to be the equivalent of a tropical storm when it reaches the Mozambique Channel.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move into an environment favorable for intensification after it moves over the Mozambique Channel.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani Intensifies to Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Gezani intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of Madagascar on Tuesday morning.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani was located at latitude 18.1°S and longitude 49.5°E which put the center about 105 miles (165 km) east of Toamasina, Madagascar.  Gezani was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of Toamasina, Madagascar on Tuesday morning.  A small circular eye with a diameter of 20 miles (32 km) was at the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani.  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 revolved around the center of Gezani’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Gezani 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 small circulation around Tropical Cyclone Gezani was very symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Gezani’s circulation.   Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Gezani is 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 11.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 34.6. Tropical Cyclone Gezani is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Gezani will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani could continue to intensify during the next few hours.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gezani toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Gezani will reach the east coast of Madagascar near Toamasina in a few hours.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it hits the east coast of Madagascar.  Gezani will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to central Madagascar. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani will be capable of causing major damage to central Madagascar.  Widespread outages of electricity are likely.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani could also cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along parts of the east coast of Madagascar near Toamasina.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 2 Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Gezani rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale east of Madagascar on Monday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani was located at latitude 18.2°S and longitude 51.6°E which put the center about 245 miles (395 km) east of Toamasina, Madagascar.  Gezani was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 973 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Gezani’s circulation.  A circular eye with a diameter of 20 miles (32 km) formed at the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani.  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 revolved around the center of Gezani’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Gezani 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 Gezani was small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Gezani’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Gezani is 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 9.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 27.6.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Zeta when Zeta hit Louisiana in 2020.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Gezani will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani will intensify during the next 12 hours. Gezani could continue to intensify rapidly.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gezani toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Gezani will reach the east coast of Madagascar near Toamasina in 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani is likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it hits the east coast of Madagascar.  Gezani will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to central Madagascar.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Gezani will be capable of causing major damage to central Madagascar.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani could also cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along parts of the east coast of Madagascar near Toamasina.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani Moves Toward Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Gezani was strengthening on Monday morning as it moved toward the east coast of Madagascar.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani was located at latitude 18.0°S and longitude 53.4°E which put the center about 365 miles (585 km) east of Toamasina, Madagascar.  Gezani was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 991 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani was strengthening on Monday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Gezani’s circulation.  A small circular eye was forming at the center of Tropical Cyclone Gezani.  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 revolved around the center of Gezani’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Gezani 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 Gezani was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Gezani’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gezani will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Gezani could intensify rapidly.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani will strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon in the next few hours.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gezani toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Gezani will reach the east coast of Madagascar near Toamasina in 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani will be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it hits the east coast of Madagascar.  Gezani will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to central Madagascar.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Gezani could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the east coast of Madagascar near Toamasina.

Tropical Cyclone Fytia Moves East of Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Fytia moved to the east of Madagascar on Sunday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fytia was located at latitude 20.7°S and longitude 50.7°E which put the center about 145 miles (235 km) southeast of Toamasina, Madagascar.  Fytia was moving toward the southeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 995 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Fytia started to intensify again after it moved over the Southwest Indian Ocean east of Madagascar on Sunday.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of Fytia’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Fytia.  Storms near the center of Fytia generated more upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and east of the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Fytia was still small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Fytia’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Fytia will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fytia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge that is over La Reunion and Mauritius.  The upper level ridge will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Fytia’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Fytia will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Fytia will move around the southwestern side of a high pressure system that is over the Southwest Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fytia toward the southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Fytia continue to move away from Madagascar.  Fytia will pass south of La Reunion and Mauritius later this week.

Tropical Cyclone Fytia Brings Wind and Rain to Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Fytia was bringing wind and rain to Madagascar on Saturday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fytia was located at latitude 17.5°S and longitude 47.0°E which put the center about 140 miles (225 km) north-northwest of Antananarivo, Madagascar.  Fytia was moving toward the southeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 989 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Fytia made landfall on the west coast of Madagascar west of Soalala on Friday night.  Fytia was the equivalent of a major hurricane at the time of landfall.  It then started to weaken as it moved southeast across central Madagascar.

Tropical Cyclone Fytia was the equivalent of a tropical storm on Saturday morning.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Fytia’s circulation.

An upper level trough over the Mozambique Channel will steer Tropical Cyclone Fytia toward the southeast during the next 24 hours.  The center of Fytia’s circulation will pass between Antananarivo and Toamasina.  Tropical Cyclone Fytia will move over the Southwest Indian Ocean on Sunday.

Tropical Cyclone Fytia will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to central Madagascar.   Heavy rain is very likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Widespread electricity outages are also likely.

Tropical Cyclone Fytia Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Fytia rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane before it hit the west coast of Madagascar on Friday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fytia was located at latitude 16.3°S and longitude 45.2°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) west of Soalala, Madagascar.  Fytia was moving toward the east-southeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 962 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Fytia continued to intensify rapidly on Friday right up to the time it hit the west coast of Madagascar.  A small circular eye was at the center of Tropical Cyclone Fytia.  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 Fytia’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Fytia 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 Fytia was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Fytia’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Fytia.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Fytia was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HWISI) was 9.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 30.0 Tropical Cyclone Fytia was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Zeta when Zeta hit Louisiana in 2020.

Tropical Cyclone Fytia will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fytia toward the southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Fytia will across central Madagascar on Saturday.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Fytia made landfall on the west coast of Madagascar west of Soalala.  The center of Fytia’s circulation is likely to pass between Antananarivo and Toamasina on Saturday night.  Tropical Cyclone Fytia will weaken as it moves across Madagascar.

Tropical Cyclone Fytia will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of west central Madagascar and to central Madagascar.  Fytia could cause major damage in those areas.   Heavy rain is very likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Fytia could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the west coast of Madagascar.