Tropical Cyclone 04A expected to make landfall in Somalia

According to latest Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) report, Tropical Cyclone 04A is located approximately 280 nm south of Cape Guardafui, Somalia, and is moving southwestward at 12 knots over the past six hours. Animated multispectral satellite imagery shows a fully exposed low-level circulation center (LLCC) with a lack of deep convection. Dry continental air is being pulled into the system.

Forecast track by JTWC (Credit: Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

 

The system will continue to weaken below warning threshold of 35 knots in the next 12 hours as it tracks southwestward due to the unfavorable environment.

With little change in the upper level environment along the forecast track, TC 04A is expected to maintain its current intensity until it makes landfall along the northeast coast of Somalia for the next 24 hours. The system is expected to dissipate over land by 36 hours due to increased vertical wind shear and land interaction.

TC 04A satellite image by MODIS/Aqua on December 24, 2012 (Credit: MODIS/LANCE/EarthSnapshots)  

TC 04A Indian Ocean globe view (Credit: JTWC/SATOPS)

Satellite Animations

• Storm-Centered Infrared (Meteosat 7; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Enhanced Infrared (Meteosat 7; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (Meteosat 7; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Visible (Meteosat 7; CIMSS)

• Meteosat 7 Infrared
• Meteosat 7 Infrared (Color Background)
• Meteosat 7 Infrared (NHC Color Enhancement)
• Meteosat 7 Water Vapor
• Meteosat 7 Water Vapor (Color Background)

 

Featured image: TC 04A multispectral satellite view (Credit: JTWC/SATOPS)