Tag Archives: Tropical Cyclone 03A

Tropical Cyclone 03A Forms South of Pakistan

Tropical Cyclone 03A formed over the Arabian Sea south of Pakistan on Thursday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone 03A was located at latitude 21.8°N and longitude 56.6°E which put it about 225 miles (370 km) south-southwest of Karachi, Pakistan. The tropical cyclone was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1003 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the Arabian Sea south of Pakistan strengthened on Thursday night and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center designated the system as Tropical Cyclone 03A. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Cyclone 03A was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of the tropical cyclone. Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level ridge over Southwest Asia was producing easterly winds that were blowing toward the top of the tropical cyclone’s circulation. Those winds were causing vertical wind shear and the shear was contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone 03A will move through an environment that is somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical cyclone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. The upper level ridge over Southwest Asia will continue to cause vertical wind shear. There is also drier air over Southwestern Asia. Tropical Cyclone 03A could strengthen during the next 24 hours if the wind shear does not increase.

Tropical Cyclone 03A will move south of a high pressure system over Southwest Asia. The high pressure system will steer the tropical cyclone toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone 03A will move a little closer to Pakistan.

Tropical Cyclone 03A Forms East of Somalia

Tropical Cyclone 03A formed over the Arabian Sea east of Somalia on Saturday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone 03A was located at latitude 10.8°N and longitude 55.0°E which put it about 270 miles (435 km) east of Hafun, Somalia. It was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (26 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 1000 mb.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system east of Somalia on Saturday and it strengthened into Tropical Cyclone 03A. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone 03A will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. It will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C. The tropical cyclone will move under the southern portion of an upper level ridge over southern Asia. The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The shear will inhibit intensification, but Tropical Cyclone 03A is likely to strengthen during the next 24 hours in spite of the wind shear.

Tropical Cyclone 03A will move south of a high pressure system over the Arabian Peninsula. The high will steer the tropical cyclone toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone 03A will pass south of Socotra Island during the next 12 hours. It will approach the coast of Somalia near Hafun in about 24 hours. The tropical cyclone will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to northeastern Somalia in about a day or so.