Tag Archives: Port Louis

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor Weakens South of Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor weakened south of Mauritius on Friday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Eleanor was located at latitude 23.9°S and longitude 58.4°E which put it about 265 miles (430 km) south-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. Eleanor was moving toward the south at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.

An upper level trough southeast of Madagascar produced strong northwesterly winds that blew across the top of Tropical Cyclone Eleanor. Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear. The strong upper level winds also blew the upper part pf Eleanor’s circulation to the southeast of the circulation in the lower levels of the atmosphere. Bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Eleanor consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. A few thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the southeastern periphery of Eleanor’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Eleanor.

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Eleanor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. However, the upper level trough south of Madagascar will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Eleanor to continue to weaken during the next 36 hours.

Since the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Eleanor exists in the lower levels of the atmosphere, it will be steered by winds in those levels. Eleanor will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Eleanor toward the west. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Eleanor will move south of Mauritius and La Reunion during the next 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Lincoln continued to spin near the coast of Western Australia. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Lincoln was located at latitude 19.3°S and longitude 113.5°E which put it about 245 miles (395 km) north of Exmouth, Australia. Lincoln was moving toward the southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb. A Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Onslow to Wooramel Roadhouse, Australia. The Warning included Exmouth and Carnarvon.

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor Moves Southeast of Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor moved southeast of Mauritius on Thursday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Eleanor was located at latitude 21.7°S and longitude 58.4°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. Eleanor was moving toward the south-southeast at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 992 mb.

Bands in the western part of Tropical Cyclone Eleanor produced gusty winds and rain showers in Mauritius on Thursday. A weather station at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (FIMP) in Port St. Louis reported a sustained wind speed of 26 m.p.h. (43 km/h) and a wind gust of 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Cyclone Eleanor was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern and southern parts of Eleanor’s circulation. Bands in the northern and western parts of Tropical Cyclone Eleanor consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level trough south of Madagascar produced northwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Eleanor’s circulation. Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear caused the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Eleanor’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Eleanor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. However, the upper level trough south of Madagascar will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Tropical Cyclone Eleanor could strengthen a little during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Eleanor toward the south-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Eleanor will gradually move farther to the south-southeast of Mauritius.

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor Churns North-northeast of Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor was churning over the South Indian Ocean north-northeast of Mauritius on Tuesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Eleanor was located at latitude 15.2°S and longitude 60.6°E which put it about 425 miles (685 km) north-northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. Eleanor was moving toward the south-southeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 993 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor strengthened gradually on Tuesday as it churned over the South Indian Ocean north-northeast of Mauritius. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Eleanor’s circulation Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Eleanor. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Eleanor.

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Eleanor 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 South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Eleanor will intensify during the next 36 hours. Eleanor could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Eleanor toward the south during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Eleanor will be northeast of Mauritius in 24 hours. Eleanor could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it is northeast of Mauritius.

Elsewhere, former Tropical Cyclone Lincoln moved across northern Australia toward the coast of Western Australia. At 7:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of former Tropical Cyclone Lincoln was located at latitude 15.9°S and longitude 124.6°E which put it about 65 miles (105 km) east-northeast of Cockatoo Island. Lincoln was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Watch for the portion of the coast from Roebourne to Ningaloo. The Watch included Karratha, Dampier, Onslow and Exmouth.

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor Forms North of Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor formed over the South Indian Ocean north of Mauritius on Monday. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Eleanor was located at latitude 14.1°S and longitude 56.6°E which put it about 415 miles (670 km) north of Port Louis, Mauritius. Eleanor was moving toward the east at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 999 mb.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean north of Mauritius strengthened on Monday and Meteo France La Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Eleanor. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Eleanor’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Eleanor. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Eleanor’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Eleanor 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 South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Eleanor will intensify during the next 36 hours. Eleanor could intensify rapidly at times. Tropical Cyclone Eleanor is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Eleanor will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Eleanor toward the south during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Eleanor will approach Mauritius in 48 hours. Eleanor is likely to be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it approaches Mauritius.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Djoungou weakened rapidly west of Australia. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou was located at latitude 30.7°S and longitude 93.9°E which put it about 1470 miles (2370 km) west of Perth, Australia. Djoungou was moving toward the southeast at 47 m.p.h. (76 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 984 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou Strengthens to Equivalent of Cat. 4 Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the South Indian Ocean on Sunday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou was located at latitude 22.5°S and longitude 82.3°E which put it about 1150 miles (1855 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia. Djoungou was moving toward the southeast at 33 m.p.h. (54 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (220 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 942 mb.

A small circular was visible at the center of Tropical Cyclone Djoungou earlier on Sunday, but the eye was no longer evident on Sunday afternoon. 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 Tropical Cyclone Djoungou. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped lmass away from the tropical cyclone.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Djoungou increased on Sunday. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Djoungou’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Djoungou was 28.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 25.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 53.9.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move through an environment unfavorable for a strong tropical cyclone during the next 36 hours. Djoungou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. It will move under the eastern part of an upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level trough will produce strong northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Djoungou’s circulation. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. Strong vertical wind shear and cooler water will cause Tropical Cyclone Djoungou to weaken rapidly during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Djoungou toward the east-southeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Djoungou will move far to the south of the Cocos Islands in 36 hours.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, a tropical depression formed northwest of Mauritius. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of the tropical depression was located at latitude 15.5°S and longitude 5363°E which put it about 405 miles (650 km) northwest of Port Louis, Mauritius. The tropical depression was moving toward the east-northeast at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 1004 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek Churns over South Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek continued to churn over the South Indian Ocean south-southeast of Diego Garcia on Saturday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 19.7°S and longitude 78.6°E which put it about 975 miles (1570 km) southeast of south-Diego Garcia. Anggrek was moving toward the west-southwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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. (230 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 965 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek continued to be the equivalent of a major hurricane as it churned over the South Indian Ocean on Saturday. A very small circular eye was present at the center of Anggrek’s circulation. 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 core of Anggrek’ circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The upper level divergence was almost in balance with the convergence in the lower atmosphere and the intensity of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was nearly constant during the past 24 hours.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Anggrek’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (150 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 28.3.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Anggrek will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Anggrek is in an equilibrium with its environment, but Anggrek could intensify a little during the next 24 hours. However, if the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could form. If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Anggrek to weaken temporarily.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Anggrek toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will remain far to the south of Diego Garcia.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Candice weakened rapidly south-southeast of Mauritius. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Candice was located at latitude 29.2°S and longitude 60.2°E which put it about 620 miles (1000 km) south-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. Candice was moving toward the south-southwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia on Friday morning. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 17.2°S and longitude 86.0°E which put it about 1160 miles (1870 km) southeast of Diego Garcia. Anggrek was moving toward the west-southwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 958 mb.

A small circular eye was present at the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. 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 core of Anggrek’ circulation. Storms near the core 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.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was symmetrical. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Anggrek’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 12.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 35.0.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Anggrek will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Anggrek is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could form. If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Anggrek to weaken temporarily.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Anggrek toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will remain far to the southeast of Diego Garcia.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Candice moved farther to the southeast of Mauritius. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Candice was located at latitude 27.1°S and longitude 62.3°E which put it about 565 miles (910 km) southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. Candice was moving toward the southeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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. (170 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek Strengthens to Equivalent of Cat. 2 Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the South Indian Ocean on Thursday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 16.3°S and longitude 87.9°E which put it about 1225 miles (1975 km) southeast of Diego Garcia. Anggrek was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek intensified more rapidly on Thursday. A circular eye with a diameter of 18 miles (29 km) formed at the center of Anggrek’s circulation. 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 core of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek. Storms near the core 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 more rapidly.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was more symmetrical on Thursday. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Anggrek’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 14.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 32.5.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Anggrek will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be less vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Anggrek is likely to intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 24 hours. Anggrek could intensify rapidly at times.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Anggrek toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Anggrek will remain far to the southeast of Diego Garcia.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Candice moved farther away from Mauritius. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Candice was located at latitude 24.1°S and longitude 60.6°E which put it about 315 miles (505 km) southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. Candice was moving toward the southeast at 22 m.p.h. (35 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. (170 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Candice Forms Near Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Candice formed over the Southwest Indian Ocean near Mauritius on Wednesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Candice was located at latitude 19.7°S and longitude 57.6°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) north of Port Louis, Mauritius. Candice was almost stationary. 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 993 mb.

A low pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean near Mauritius strengthened on Wednesday morning and Meteo France La Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Candice. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and northern sides of the center of Candice’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Candice. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Candice will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Candice will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under an upper level ridge over the Southwest Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. The upper level winds are weak under the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Candice is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Candice will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will start to steer Candice toward the south during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Candice will move over Mauritius. Candice could bring a prolonged period of gusty winds and heavy rain to Mauritius. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Anggrek strengthened back to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 14.2°S and longitude 91.0°E which put it about 1350 miles (2180 km) east-southeast of Diego Garcia. Anggrek was moving toward the southwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 987 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Belal Moves Southeast of Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Belal moved southeast of Mauritius on Tuesday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Belal was located at latitude 23.2°S and longitude 60.2°E which put it about 275 miles (440 km) southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. Belal was moving toward the east-southeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

Tropical Cyclone Belal began a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Tuesday as it moved over the Southwest Indian Ocean southeast of Mauritius. An upper level trough southeast of Madagascar was producing northwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Belal’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The strong upper level winds were also tilting the upper part of Tropical Cyclone Belal to the southeast of the lower part of Belal’s circulation. The strong vertical wind shear also caused the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Cyclone Belal to become asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southeastern part of Belal’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of Tropical Cyclone Belal consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Belal.

Tropical Cyclone Belal will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Belal will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. The upper level trough southeast of Madagascar will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear will cause Belal to continue to weaken gradually. The strong vertical wind shear will also cause Tropical Cyclone Belal to continue to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Belal will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Belal toward the east-southeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Belal will pass south of Rodrigues on Wednesday.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Anggrek meandered northwest of Cocos Islands. At 7:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anggrek was located at latitude 9.5°S and longitude 93.9°E which put it about 285 miles (455 km) northwest of Cocos Islands. Anggrek was moving toward the southeast at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb. A Watch was in effect for Cocos Islands.