Tag Archives: Tamil Nadu

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 Cyclone Nivar Makes Landfall in Tamil Nadu

Tropical Cyclone Nivar made landfall on the coast of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Nivar was located at latitude 12.2°N and longitude 79.8°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) north of Puducherry, India. Nivar was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 976 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Nivar made landfall on the southeast coast of India north of Puducherry on Wednesday. Nivar strengthened into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the Bay of Bengal before it made landfall. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km/h) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Nivar. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Nivar will produce gusty winds along the coast of Tamil Nadu between Cuddalore and Chennai. Winds blowing water toward the coast could cause a storm surge of up to six feet (two meters) between Puducherry and Chennai. Nivar will drop heavy rain over parts of northern Tamil Nadu and flash floods could occur in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Nivar will move south of a high pressure system over India and the Bay of Bengal. The high will steer Nivar toward the west-northwest. The wind speed will steadily decrease when Tropical Cyclone Nivar moves inland. Nivar will drop locally heavy rain over parts of southern Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka when it moves farther inland over southern India.

Tropical Cyclone Nivar Strengthens near Southeast India

Tropical Cyclone Nivar (04B) strengthened over the Bay of Bengal near Southeast India on Tuesday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Nivar was located at latitude 10.8°N and longitude 82.6°E which put it about 235 miles (380 km) southeast of Chennai India. Nivar was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 982 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Nivar strengthened to almost the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the Bay of Bengal near Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Nivar. Other strong thunderstorms were occurring in bands north and west of the center of circulation. Bands south and east of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the north and west of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Nivar will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nivar 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 over the Bay of Bengal. The ridge will enhance the upper level divergence and contribute to the removal of mass, which will cause the surface pressure to decrease. Tropical Cyclone Nivar will intensify into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Nivar will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Bay of Bengal. The high will steer Nivar toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Nivar will make landfall on the coast of India between Puducherry and Chennai in about 24 hours. Nivar will bring strong winds to southern India. Wind blowing water toward the coast will cause a storm surge of up to 6 feet (2 meters). Tropical Cyclone Nivar will drop heavy rain over parts of Tamil Nadu and flash floods could occur.

Tropical Cyclone Gaja Makes Landfall in Southern India

Tropical Cyclone Gaja made landfall on the coast of southern India just south of Nagappattinam on Thursday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Gaja was located at latitude 10.5°N and longitude 79.7°E which put it about 10 miles (15 km) south of Nagappattinam, India.  Gaja was moving toward the west-southwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 974 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gaja strengthened rapidly into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon while it approached the coast of Southern India.  A small circular eye formed at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Gaja.  The circulation of Gaja was small, which allowed it to strengthen quickly before landfall.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force only extended out about 10 miles (15 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out about 65 miles (105 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Gaja produced winds strong enough to cause damage in the area near Nagappattinam.  Those winds could bring a storm surge of 5 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.5 meters) near where the center made landfall.  The small size of Tropical Cyclone Gaja and the fact it did not intensify until it neared the coast will limit the magnitude of the storm surge.  Gaja is forecast to move westward across southern India.  Tropical Cyclone Gaja will weaken when it moves inland but it will drop locally heavy rain over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and southern Karnataka.  The heavy rain could cause flash flooding in those regions.

Tropical Cyclone Gaja will weaken while it moves across southern India.  The small size of the circulation and mountains in that area will contribute to a fairly rapid weakening.  The circulation in the lower levels could be seriously disrupted when it moves over the mountains, but the circulation in the middle levels may persist.  Some numerical models are forecasting that Tropical Cyclone Gaja could strengthen back into the equivalent of a tropical storm when it moves over the Arabian Sea.

Tropical Cyclone Gaja Moves Closer to Southern India

Tropical Cyclone Gaja moved closer to southern India and strengthened on Wednesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gaja was located at latitude 11.7°N and longitude 83.6°E which put it about 260 miles (420 km) east of Cuddalore, India.  Gaja was moving toward the southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 996 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gaja strengthened on Wednesday.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of circulation.  Some microwave images exhibited the appearance of an eyelike feature in the lower levels.  The inner end of a rainband appeared to be wrapping around the center of Gaja.  There were several bands of stronger thunderstorms in the western half of Tropical Cyclone Gaja.  Rainbands in the eastern half of the tropical cyclone consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  The storms around the center of circulation were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the northeast of Gaja.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Gaja was relatively small.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out about 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gaja will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gaja will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move southwest of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce southeasterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will restrict upper level divergence to the southeast of Gaja.  They will also cause moderate vertical wind shear, which is probably the reason why most of the stronger thunderstorms are occurring in the western half of the circulation.  The wind shear will slow intensification, but Tropical Cyclone Gaja will strengthen during the next 24 hours.  Gaja could intensify to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Gaja will move south of a ridge in the middle troposphere during the next 48 hours.  The ridge will steer Gaja on a track that is a little south of straight westward.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gaja will approach the coast of southern India in about 24 hours.  Gaja will make landfall in Tamil Nadu between Cuddalore and Nagappattinam in a little over a day.  It could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it makes landfall.  Gaja will bring strong winds and it could cause a storm surge of 5 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.5 metres) at the coast.  Tropical Cyclone Gaja will drop locally heavy rain over portions of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Vardah Nearing Landfall in India

Tropical Cyclone Vardah moved steadily toward a landfall near Chennai India on Sunday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Vardah was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 81.1°E which put it about 60 miles (105 km) east of Chennai, India.  Vardah was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

The Indian Meteorological Department’s radar at Chennai shows that Tropical Cyclone Vardah is very well organized and symmetrical.  There is a circular eye surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms.  The strongest storms are west and south of the eye, and the ring is thinner east of the eye.  There are multiple bands of thunderstorms and the heaviest thunderstorms in those bands are also in the western half of the circulation.  The thunderstorms are generating strong upper level divergence which is pumping out mass to the west and north of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Vardah is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  The energy from the ocean will keep Vardah from weakening before it makes landfall.  Tropical Cyclone Vardah will weaken steadily once it begins to move over southern India.

A subtropical ridge north of Vardah is steering the tropical cyclone toward the west and that general motion is expected to continue.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Vardah will make landfall near Chennai, India in a few hours.  Vardah will continue to move west across southern India after it moves inland.

Tropical Cyclone Vardah will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the area around Chennai.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) is 12.7.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 11.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 24.0.  Those indices indicate that Tropical Cyclone Vardah is capable of causing regional minor wind damage when it makes landafall.

Vardah will also generate a storm surge along portion of the coast north of Chennai where the wind will blow the water toward the coast.  Vardah will produce locally heavy rain over Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.  The heavy rain could produce floods and mudslides.