Tropical Cyclone Indusa formed over the South Indian Ocean south of Diego Garcia on Wednesday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Indusa was located at latitude 12.3°S and longitude 73.4°E which put the center about 345 miles (555 km) south of Diego, Garcia.  Indusa was moving toward the south-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 low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean south of Diego Garcia strengthened on Wednesday night and Meteo France La Reunion designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Indusa.

More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Tropical Cyclone Indusa on Thursday morning.  Thunderstorms were also developing in bands revolving around the center of Indusa’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Indusa generated 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 Indusa was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Indusa’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Indusa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Indusa 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 that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Indusa’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Indusa will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Indusa is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Friday.

Tropical Cyclone Indusa will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the South Indian Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Indusa toward the south during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Indusa will move farther away from Diego Garcia.