A tropical depression formed over the Mozambique Channel on Friday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of the tropical depression was located at latitude 13.5°S and longitude 42.7°E which put it about 150 miles (240 km) east-northeast of Nacala, Mozambique. The tropical depression was moving toward the southwest at 5 m.p.h (8 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 1006 mb.

A tropical depression, also designated as Invest 97S, formed over the Mozambique Channel on Friday morning. More thunderstorms developed near the center of the depression’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of the tropical depression. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the depression.

The tropical depression will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the center of an upper level ridge over the Mozambique Channel. The winds are weak near the center of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. The tropical depression will intensify during the next 24 hours and it could strengthen to a named tropical cyclone.

The tropical depression will move around the northwestern side of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the southwest. On its anticipated track the tropical depression could approach the coast of Mozambique south of Nacala in 24 hours. The tropical depression will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Mozambique during the weekend. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.