Tropical Cyclone Pawan neared a landfall on the coast of Somalia near Eyl on Friday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Pawan was located at latitude 8.0°N and longitude 50.2°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) east of Eyl, Somalia.  Pawan was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 997 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Pawan strengthened on Friday as it neared the coast of Somalia.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of circulation and in bands revolving around the center.  Storms near the center generated more upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease and the wind speed to increase.  Pawan was a relatively small tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Pawan will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over North Africa.  The high will steer Pawan toward the west during the next 12 to 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Pawan will make landfall on the coast of Somalia near Eyl during the next few hours.  Pawan will bring gusty winds, and locally heavy rain will create the potential for flash floods.  Tropical Cyclone Pawan will weaken quickly when it moves into drier air over eastern Africa.