Tag Archives: Sri Lanka

Tropical Cyclone Ditwah Moves North of Sri Lanka

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Tropical Cyclone Ditwah moved north of Sri Lanka on Saturday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah was located at latitude 10.2°N and longitude 80.8°E which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) southeast of Puducherry, India.  Ditwah was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Ditwah was pulling in drier air from over India.  The drier air caused the thunderstorms near the center of Ditwah’s circulation to weaken.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the northern and eastern periphery of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah.  Bands in the other parts of Ditwah’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Even though the thunderstorms near the center of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah weakened, Ditwah was still producing winds to tropical storm force.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Ditwah’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Ditwah will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ditwah will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge that is over Southeast Asia and the Bay of Bengal.  The upper level ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ditwah’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the shear may not be enough to prevent some intensification.  However, the drier air being pulled into Ditwah’s circulation is likely to inhibit the formation of new thunderstorms.  Tropical Cyclone Ditwah could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours.  However, the drier air is likely to cause Ditwah to weaken slowly during the next several days.

Tropical Cyclone Ditwah will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.  The high pressure system will steer Ditwah toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Ditwah will move nearly parallel to the coast of southeast India.

Tropical Cyclone Ditwah will bring gusty winds and isolated heavy rain to parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Tropical Cyclone Ditwah Spins Near Sri Lanka

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Tropical Cyclone Ditwah continued to spin near Sri Lanka on Friday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah was located at latitude 8.8°N and longitude 80.8°E which put the center about 85 miles (135 km) south-southeast of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.  Ditwah was moving toward the north-northwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah was still over northern Sri Lanka on Friday morning.  The fact that the center of Ditwah’s circulation was still over land combined with the effects of vertical wind shear to cause the distribution of thunderstorms to be asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and western parts of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah.  Bands in the southern and eastern parts of Ditwah’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The strongest winds in Tropical Cyclone Ditwah were occurring over the southwestern Bay of Bengal.   Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of Ditwah’s circulation.  The winds were much weaker over land.

Tropical Cyclone Ditwah will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification when the center of its circulation moves back over the southwestern Bay of Bengal in a few hours.  Ditwah will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge that is over Southeast Asia and the Bay of Bengal.  The upper level ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ditwah’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the shear may not be enough to prevent some intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Ditwah could intensify a little during the next 24 hours even with moderate vertical wind shear, when the center of its circulation moves back over water.

Tropical Cyclone Ditwah will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.  The high pressure system will steer Ditwah toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah will move north of Sri Lanka in a few hours.  Ditwah could reach the coast of Tamil Nadu during the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Ditwah will continue to affect Sri Lanka and southern India.  Ditwah will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  There were reports that flooding in Sri Lanka had already caused fatalities.

Tropical Cyclone Ditwah Forms Near Sri Lanka

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Tropical Cyclone Ditwah formed over the southwestern Bay of Bengal on Thursday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah was located at latitude 7.8°N and longitude 81.6°E which put the center about 10 miles (15 km) northwest of Batticaloa, Sri Lanka.  Ditwah was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

A low pressure system over the southwestern Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka intensified on Thursday and the India Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Ditwah.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah was near the east coast of Sri Lanka.  About half of Ditwah’s circulation was over Sri Lanka.  A band of thunderstorms was wrapped around the northern and western sides of the center of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Ditwah’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Ditwah generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease slowly.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Cyclone Ditwah was asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the southern half of Ditwah’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the northern side of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah.

Tropical Cyclone Ditwah will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ditwah will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge that is over Southeast Asia and the Bay of Bengal.  The upper level ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ditwah’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification.  The fact that almost half of Ditwah’s circulation is over Sri Lanka will also inhibit intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Ditwah could intensify during the next 24 hours even with moderate vertical wind shear, if the center of its circulation remains over water.

Tropical Cyclone Ditwah will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.  The high pressure system will steer Ditwah toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah will move along the coast of northeastern Sri Lanka.  Ditwah could approach the coast of India near Chennai within 72 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Ditwah will produce strong winds and heavy rain over Sri Lanka.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Could Form East of Sri Lanka

A tropical cyclone could form over the Bay of Bengal east of Sri Lanka during the next 24 hours. A low pressure system over the southern Bay of Bengal was designated as Invest 90B on Monday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of the low pressure system was located at latitude 8.5°N and longitude 84.5°E which put it about 185 miles (300 km) east-northeast of Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. The low pressure system was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1004 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the Bay of Bengal east of Sri Lanka strengthened on Monday. More thunderstorms formed near the center of the low pressure system and the inner end of a rainband wrapped partly around the center of circulation. More thunderstorms formed in bands revolving around the center. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the low pressure system.

The low pressure system will move through an environment favorable for the formation of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours. The low pressure system will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge centered over Southeast Asia. The ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the low pressure system. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear and the shear will inhibit somewhat the formation of a tropical cyclone. However, the wind shear may not be strong enough to prevent the low pressure system from strengthening into a tropical cyclone. Invest 90B could strengthen to a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.

The low pressure system will move south of a strong high pressure system over southern Asia. The high pressure system will steer the low pressure system toward the west-southwest. On its anticipated track the low pressure system could reach the east coast of Sri Lanka within 24 hours. The low pressure system will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Sri Lanka. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Mandous Strengthens over Southwest Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Mandous strengthened over the southwestern Bay of Bengal on Thursday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Mandous was located at latitude 10.7°N and longitude 81.9°E which put it about 215 miles (345 km) southeast of Chennai, India. Mandous was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 988 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Mandous strengthened on Thursday. Even though Mandous was stronger, the distribution of thunderstorms continued to be asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Mandous’ circulation. Bands in the eastern half of Mandous consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms west of the center of Mandous generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Mandous.

Tropical Cyclone Mandous will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Mandous 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 over Southeast Asia and the Bay of Bengal. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Mandous’ circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear is already contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms and the shear will inhibit intensification. The western side Tropical Cyclone Mandous will interact with a mass of drier air over India, when Mandous gets closer to the coast of India. A combination of moderate vertical wind shear and drier air is likely to cause Mandous to begin to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Mandous will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over southern Asia. The high pressure system will steer Mandous toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Mandous will be near the coast of southern India near Chennai in 24 hours. Mandous will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Puducherry, northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh. Tropical Cyclone Mandous will also drop heavy rain over northern Sri Lanka. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Depression Forms over Bay of Bengal

A depression formed over the Bay of Bengal on Friday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of the depression was located at latitude 9.4°N and longitude 83.4°E which put it about 320 miles (515 km) southeast of Chennai India. It was moving toward the north-northwest at 7 m.p.h (11 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 1000 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the Bay of Bengal strengthened on Friday morning and the system was classified as a depression by the India Meteorological Department. More thunderstorms develop near the enter of the depression. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the depression.

The depression will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge centered over southeast Asia. The ridge will produce southeast winds that will blow toward the top of the depression. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the shear will inhibit intensification. The depression is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours unless the upper level winds get stronger.

The depression will move south of a high pressure system centered over southeast Asia. The high pressure system will steer the depression slowly toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the depression will remain northeast of Sri Lanka and it will move closer to southern India.

Tropical Cyclone Burevi Stalls over Gulf of Mannar

Tropical Cyclone Burevi stalled over the Gulf of Mannar on Friday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Burevi was located at latitude 9.0°N and longitude 79.4°E which put it about 80 miles (130 km) east of Toothukudi, India. Burevi was nearly stationary. 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 Burevi stalled over the Gulf of Mannar between Sri Lanka and the southern tip of India on Friday. Although the center of Burevi was over water, the tropical cyclone weakened since some of the circulation passed over Sri Lanka or southern India. The parts of the circulation that were over land experienced increased friction and were unable to extract as much energy from the surface. The wind speeds around Tropical Cyclone Burevi decreased gradually as a result of more friction and less available energy.

Tropical Cyclone Burevi dropped locally heavy rain over parts of southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala in India. Persistent rain fell in some locations because Burevi stalled. If the rain continues to fall over the same locations, then flash floods are likely to occur.

A high pressure system over India could start to push Tropical Cyclone Burevi toward the west during the weekend. Burevi will weaken further if the center moves across southern India. Tropical Cyclone Burevi could strengthen slowly next week, if the circulation is still relatively intact when it reaches the Arabian Sea.

Tropical Cyclone Burevi Rains on Sri Lanka and Southern India

Tropical Cyclone Burevi dropped rain on northern Sri Lanka and southern India on Wednesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Burevi was located at latitude 9.1°N and longitude 80.4°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) south-southeast of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Burevi was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 997 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Burevi made landfall on the coast of Sri Lanka north of Trincomalee on Wednesday. The center moved westward across northern Sri Lanka after it made landfall. Bands of showers and thunderstorms in the northern and western parts of Burevi dropped rain over northern Sri Lanka, southern Tamil Nadu and southern Kerala. Prolonged rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Burevi could weaken during the next few hours while the center is over northern Sri Lanka. The center of Burevi will move over the Gulf of Mannar in a few hours. The center of Tropical Cyclone Burevi could make another landfall on the coast of southern India near Thoothukudi in about 18 hours. Burevi will move across the southernmost parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Tropical Cyclone Burevi could move over the Arabian Sea in about 36 hours. Burevi could slowly strengthen when it moves over the Arabian Sea.

Tropical Cyclone Burevi Strengthens East of Sri Lanka

Tropical Cyclone Burevi strengthened over the Bay of Bengal east of Sri Lanka on Tuesday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Burevi was located at latitude 8.0°N and longitude 84.4°E which put it about 220 miles (350 km) east of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. Burevi was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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. (110 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

A former tropical depression over the Bay of Bengal east of Sri Lanka strengthened into Tropical Cyclone Burevi on Tuesday. More thunderstorms formed close to the center of circulation. More thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of Burevi. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles from the center of Tropical Cyclone Burevi.

Tropical Cyclone Burevi will move through a region favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Burevi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. It will move under the eastern end of an upper level ridge centered over India. The upper winds will be weaker during the next day or so and there will be less vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Burevi will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Burevi will move south of a high pressure system over India and the Bay of Bengal. The high will steer Burevi toward the west-northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Burevi will approach northern Sri Lanka in about 24 hours. Burevi will bring gusty winds to the northeast coast of Sri Lanka and the coastal waters around southern India. Tropical Cyclone Burevi will drop heavy rain over parts of Sri Lanka and southern India. Flash floods could occur in portions of Sri Lanka, southern Tamil Nadu and southern Kerala.

Tropical Depression Forms East of Sri Lanka

A Tropical Depression (also designated as Invest 98B) formed over the southern Bay of Bengal east of Sri Lanka on Monday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of a tropical depression was located at latitude 6.7°N and longitude 86.3°E which put it about 295 miles (475 km) east of Pottuvil, Sri Lanka. It was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 1004 mb.

A low level center of circulation developed in an area of thunderstorms over the southern Bay of Bengal east of Sri Lanka on Monday. The circulation around the tropical depression was still organizing on Monday night. More thunderstorms were developing near the low level center. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were forming outside the center of circulation. Storms near the center started to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the north and west of the tropical depression.

The tropical depression will move through a region somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. It will move under the western end of an upper level ridge centered over Southeast Asia. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the depression. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The shear will inhibit intensification, but it probably will not be strong enough to prevent the tropical depression from intensifying.

The tropical depression will move south of a high pressure system over India and the Bay of Bengal. The high will steer the depression toward the west during the next several days. On its anticipated track the tropical depression will approach Sri Lanka in about 36 hours. It will drop heavy rain over parts of Sri Lanka and flash floods could occur.