Tropical Cyclone Maarutha strengthened over the Bay of Bengal on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Maarutha was located at latitude 15.8°N and longitude 91.7°E which put it about 350 miles (565 km) southwest of Sandoway, Burma.  Maarutha was moving toward the northeast at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 993 mb.

A primary rainband wrapped around the western side of the center of circulation.  The band was broken on the eastern side of the center.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the northern and eastern periphery of the circulation.  Thunderstorms in the primary rainband were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass out to the northeast of the circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Maarutha will be moving through an environment that will be moderately favorable for intensification during the next 12-24 hours.  Maarutha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge east of Maarutha is producing southwesterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the tropical cyclone.  Those winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification.  Despite the vertical wind shear Tropical Cyclone Maarutha could intensify further before it makes landfall in Burma in 18 to 24 hours.

A subtropical ridge east of Maarutha is steering the tropical cyclone toward the northeast and that general motion is expected to continue for the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Maarutha will make landfall in Burma between Sittwe and Bassein near Sandoway.

Tropical Cyclone Maarutha will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Burma when it makes landfall.  Some storm surge is likely south of where the center makes landfall and the wind blows the water toward the coast.