Tag Archives: Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell Moves Over Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell moved over the coast of Western Australia south of Carnarvon on Monday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Mitchell was located at latitude 25.8°S and longitude 114.2°E which put the center about 70 miles (110 km) south-southeast of Carnarvon, Australia.  Mitchell was moving toward the south-southeast at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 991 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning that was in effect for the portion of the coast from Carnarvon to Overlander Roadhouse.  The Warning included Denham.

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell was the equivalent of a tropical storm at the time it moved over the coast of Western Australia.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Mitchell’s circulation.

A weather station in Carnarvon, Australia measured a sustained wind speed of 43 m.p.h. (69 km/h) and a wind gust of 63 m.p.h. (102 km/h).

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over Australia.  The high pressure system will steer Mitchell toward the south-southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will move inland over Western Australia.  The center of Mitchell’s circulation will pass east of Denham.

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the area between Denham and Overlander Roadhouse during the next few hours.  Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for the Gascoyne River, the Avon River, the Moore River, the Hill River, the Greenough River, the Murchison River, the Wooramel River, the Linden-Minilya Rivers, and the Yarra Yarra Lakes District.

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon as it moved near the coast of Western Australia on Saturday morning.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Mitchell was located at latitude 20.3°S and longitude 116.4°E which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) north-northwest of Karratha, Australia.  Mitchell was moving toward the southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 973 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning that was in effect for the portion of the coast of Western Australia from Whim Creek to Coral Bay.  The Warning included Karratha, Dampier, Onslow, and Exmouth.

A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast of Western Australia from Coral Bay to Carnarvon.

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Saturday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Michell’s circulation.  An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Cyclone Mitchell.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Mitchell’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Mitchell generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Mitchell increased when Mitchell intensified.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Mitchell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (175 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Mitchell.

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mitchell will then move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will intensify during the next 24 hours. .

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system that is over Australia.  The high pressure system will steer Mitchell toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will make landfall in the Exmouth Gulf in less than 24 hours.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Mitchell is likely to make landfall on the coast of Western Australia between Onslow and Exmouth.  Mitchell will bring strong winds and heavy rain to locations near the Exmouth Gulf.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for the Gascoyne River, the Ashburton River, the Fortescue River, the Fitzroy River, the Greenough River, the Murchison River, the Wooramel River, the Pilbara Coastal Rivers, and the Yarra Yarra Lakes District.

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell Strengthens Near Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell strengthened near the coast of Western Australia on Friday morning.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Mitchell was located at latitude 18.7°S and longitude 119.4°E which put the center about 145 miles (235 km) north-northeast of Port Hedland, Australia.  Mitchell was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 994 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning that was in effect for the portion of the coast from De Grey to Mardie.  The Warning included Port Hedland, Karratha, and Dampier.

A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Onslow to Coral Bay.  The Watch included Exmouth.

A Tropical Low near the coast of Western Australia strengthened on Friday morning and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated it as Tropical Cyclone Mitchell.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Mitchell was strengthening on Friday morning.  New thunderstorms continued to develop near the center of Mitchell’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were also revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Mitchell.  Storms near the center of Mitchell 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 Mitchell was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Mitchell’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Mitchell will then move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Mitchell could intensify rapidly to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system that is over Australia.  The high pressure system will steer Mitchell toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone will be north of Dampier in 24 hours.

The strongest winds in Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will remain north of the coast of Western Australia on Friday.  Bands in the southern half of Mitchell’s circulation could bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of Western Australia.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for the Gascoyne River, the Ashburton River, the Fortescue River, the Fitzroy River, and the Pilbara Coastal Rivers.

Tropical Low Prompts Warning for Western Australia

The potential risk posed by a Tropical Low prompted the Australia Bureau of Meteorology to issue a Warning for a portion of the coast of Western Australia on Thursday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of a Tropical Low was located at latitude 17.9°S and longitude 121.5°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) west-northwest of Broome, Australia.  The Tropical Low was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the portion of the coast of Western Australia from Pardoo Roadhouse to Whim Creek.  The Warning included Port Hedland.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Watch for the portion of the coast of Western Australia from Whim Creek to Exmouth Gulf.  The Watch included Karratha,Dampier, and Onslow.

A low pressure system strengthened on Thursday when it moved over the South Indian Ocean near Broome, Australia.  The Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as a Tropical Low.  The U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center designated the system as Tropical Cyclone 20S.

The Tropical Low started to strengthen on Thursday as soon as it moved over the water in the South Indian Ocean.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of the Tropical Low.  Thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the Tropical Low.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to start to decrease.

The Tropical Low will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The Tropical Low will then move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  The Tropical Low will intensify during the next 24 hours.  It could intensify rapidly to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

The Tropical Low will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system that is over Australia.  The high pressure system will steer the Tropical Low toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the Tropical Low will be north of Port Hedland in 24 hours.

The center of the Tropical Low is likely to stay north of the coast of Western Australia on Friday.  Bands in the southern half of the Tropical Low could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to portions of the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Luana Brings Wind and Rain to Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Luana brought wind and rain to Western Australia on Saturday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Luana was located at latitude 17.5°S and longitude 123.1°E which put the center about 35 miles (55 km) west of Derby, Australia.  Luana was moving toward the southeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning that was in effect for the portion of the coast from Broome to Cockatoo Island.  The Warning included Derby.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Luana made landfall on the Dampier Peninsula between Beagle Bay and Cape Leveque early on Saturday.  Luana intensified prior to making landfall.  Tropical Cyclone Luana was the equivalent of a strong tropical storm at the time of landfall.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Cyclone Luana became more symmetrical before it made landfall.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Luana’s circulation.

A weather station in Derby in Western Australia reported a sustained wind speed of 43 m.p.h. (69 km/h) and a wind gust of 60 m.p.h. (96 km/h).  That weather station reported 7.43 inches (188.8 mm) of rain so far.

A weather station in Broome reported a sustained wind speed of 25 m.p.h. (41 km/h) and a wind gust of 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The weather station in Broome reported 1.87 inches (47.4 mm) of rain.

Tropical Cyclone Luana Will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia.  The high pressure system will steer Luana toward the south-southeast during the next 24 hours.   On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Luana will move inland over Western Australia south of Derby during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Luana will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Western Australia.   Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Warnings are in effect for the West Kimberley District and the North Kimberley District.

A Flood Watch is in effect for the Western Sandy Desert.

Tropical Cyclone Luana could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of King Sound.

Tropical Cyclone Luana will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland over Western Australia.

Tropical Cyclone Luana Approaches Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Luana was approaching the coast of Western Australia on Friday afternoon.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Luana was located at latitude 16.3°S and longitude 121.7°E which put the center about 140 miles (230 km) north-northwest of Broome, Australia.  Luana was moving toward the southeast 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 994 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the portion of the coast from Broome to Kuri Bay.  The Warning included Derby.

A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Bidyadanga to Broome.

Tropical Cyclone Luana strengthened on Friday as it moved closer to the coast of Western Australia.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Luana’s circulation.  More thunderstorms developed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Luana.  Storms near the center of Luana generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Cyclone Luana was asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Luana’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out only 60 miles (95 km) in the other parts of Tropical Cyclone Luana.

Tropical Cyclone Luana will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Luana will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.   It will move under the middle part of an upper level ridge that is northwest of Australia.   The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.   Tropical Cyclone Luana will Intensify during the next few hours.

Tropical Cyclone Luana Will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia.  The high pressure system will steer Luana toward the southeast during the next 24 hours.   On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Luana will make landfall on the coast of Western Australia between Beagle Bay and Cape Leveque in a few hours.

Tropical Cyclone Luana will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the portion of Western Australia between Broome and Kuri Bay.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for the Northwest Kimberley and Western Sandy Desert regions.

Tropical Cyclone Luana could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of Western Australia.

Tropical Low Moves Toward Western Australia

A Tropical Low over the South Indian Ocean was moving toward the coast of Western Australia on Thursday night.  The U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center is now designating the Tropical Low as Tropical Cyclone 17S.

At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone 17S was located at latitude 13.6°S and longitude 120.2°E which put the center about 355 miles (575 km) north-northwest of Broome, Australia.  Tropical Cyclone 17S was moving toward the southeast at 16 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 955 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the portion of the coast from Broome to Kuri Bay.  The Warning included Derby.

A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Bidyadanga to Broome.  A Watch was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Kuri Bay to Mitchell Plateau.

Tropical Cyclone 17S was exhibiting more organization on Thursday evening.  More thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern and western side of the tropical cyclone.  There still were not a lot of thunderstorms near the center of Tropical Cyclone 17S.  The thunderstorms were starting to generate more upper level divergence that was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass was causing the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern side of Tropical Cyclone 17S.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the northern side of the tropical cyclone.  The winds in the southern half of Tropical Cyclone 17S were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Cyclone 17S will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Tropical Cyclone 17S will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle part of an upper level ridge that is northwest of Australia.  The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone 17S will Intensify during the next 24 hours.  It could intensify rapidly.

Tropical Cyclone 17S Will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical cyclone toward the southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone 17S will approach the coast of Western Australia near Cape Leveque in 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone 17S will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the portion of Western Australia between Broome and Kuri Bay.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for the Northwest Kimberley and Western Sandy Desert regions.

Tropical Cyclone 17S could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of Western Australia.

Tropical Low Prompts Watch for Western Australia

The potential risk posed by a Tropical Low over the South Indian Ocean prompted the Australian Bureau of Meteorology to issue a Watch for a portion of the coast of Western Australia on Wednesday evening.  The Tropical Low is currently designated as Invest 91S by the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of the Tropical Low was located at latitude 11.4°S and longitude 118.9°E which put the center about 510 miles (825 km) northwest of Broome, Australia.  The Tropical Low was moving toward the southeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Watch for the portion of the coast of Western Australia from Bidyadanga to Mitchell Plateau.  The Watch included Broome and Derby.

The circulation of the Tropical Low was in the early stages of organization on Wednesday evening.  There were not many thunderstorms near the center of the Tropical Low.  Thunderstorms were occurring in a band in the southern periphery of the circulation around the Tropical Low.  There also were not many thunderstorms in the northern side of the Tropical Low.

The Tropical Low will move through an environment favorable for the formation of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  The Tropical Low will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle part of an upper level ridge that is northwest of Australia.  The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  The Tropical Low is likely to continue to get better organized during the next 24 hours.

The Tropical Low Will move around the western side of a high pressure system over Australia.  The high pressure system will steer the Tropical Low toward the southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the Tropical Low will approach the coast of Western Australia in 48 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Hayley Brings Wind and Rain to Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Hayley brought wind and rain to Western Australia on Tuesday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hayley was located at latitude 16.7°S and longitude 123.7°E which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) north-northwest of Derby, Australia.  Hayley was moving toward the east at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

A Warning was in effect for the region from north of Beagle Bay to south of Kuri Bay, Australia.

Tropical Cyclone Hayley made landfall on the coast of Western Australia south of Lombadina on Tuesday morning.  Hayley moved across the northern part of the Dampier Peninsula.  Tropical Cyclone Haley was currently over King Sound.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Hayley was small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Hayley’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Hayley.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Hayley was 12.7.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 20.6.

Tropical Cyclone Hayley will move around the northeastern part of an upper level trough over Western Australia.  The upper level trough will steer Hayley toward the east during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Hayley will make another landfall in Western Australia north of Derby in a few hours.

Tropical Cyclone Hayley will bring strong winds and locally heavy to parts of Western Australia north and east of Derby.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations,

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall for parts of the Kimberley District.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Grant was moving south-southeast of Diego Garcia.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 14.8°S and longitude 75.1°E which put the center about 565 miles (910 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia.  Grant was moving toward the west-southwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 950 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Hayley Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Hayley rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon northwest of Australia early on Monday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Hayley was located at latitude 15.8°S and longitude 120.3°E which put the center about 210 miles (340 km) northwest of Broome, Australia.  Hayley was moving toward the southeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 976 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the portion of the coast from north of Broome to Cockatoo Island.  The Warning included the Dampier Peninsula and Derby.

The Australia Bureau of Meteorology issued a Watch for the region from east of Derby to Kuri Bay.

Tropical Cyclone Hayley rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon early on Monday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Hayley’s circulation.  A small eye with a diameter of 10 miles (16 km) formed at the center of Tropical Cyclone Hayley.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hayley’s circulation.  Storms near the core 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 Hayley was very small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Hayley’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Hayley.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Hayley was 12.7.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 19.8.

Tropical Cyclone Hayley will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Hayley will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of a small upper level ridge that is northwest of Australia.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Hayley is likely to continue to  intensify during the next 12 hours. Hayley could intensify rapidly because its circulation is so small.  Tropical Cyclone Hayley will move under the northeastern part of an upper level trough that is near the west coast of Australia in about 12 hours.  The upper level trough will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Hayley’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Tropical Cyclone Hayley will start to weaken when the vertical wind shear increases.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Cyclone Hayley toward the east-southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Hayley will make landfall in the northern part of the Dampier Peninsula between Beagle Bay and Cape Leveque in 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Hayley is likely to be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon at the time of landfall.  Hayley will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Dampier Peninsula and parts of Western Australia.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Hayley could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along portions of the coast near where the center makes landfall.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Grant intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale southeast of Diego Garcia.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Grant was located at latitude 13.8°S and longitude 80.0°E which put the center about 710 miles (1145 km) southeast of Diego Garcia.  Grant was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 944 mb.

The Hurricane Intensity Index for Tropical Cyclone Grant was 28.3.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 38.7.  Tropical Cyclone Grant was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Charley when Charley hit Southwest Florida in 2004.