Tropical Cyclone Bheki formed over the South Indian Southeast of Diego Garcia on Thursday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Bheki was located at latitude 10.5°S and longitude 75.9°E which put the center about 325 miles (525 km) southeast of Diego Garcia.  Bheki 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 997 mb.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia strengthened on Thursday and Meteo France la Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Bheki.  Thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Cyclone Bheki.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were also revolving around the center of Bheki’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Bheki began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Bheki was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Bheki’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Bheki will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bheki will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Bheki will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Bheki could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the weekend.

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