Tropical Cyclone “Daya” forms between Madagascar and La Reunion Island

Tropical Cyclone "Daya" developed from the low pressure area "96S" between Madagascar and La Reunion Island on February 10, 2016.

The system was located approximately 514.8 km (319.8 miles) south-southwest of St Denis, La Reunion and tracking southeastward at 18.5 km/h on February 11, at 03:00 UTC, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

Tropical Cyclone "Daya", February 11, 2016. Image credit: NASA/Terra MODIS

Daya was packing maximum sustained winds of 74 km/h (45.9 mph) and gusts of 92.6 km/h (57.5 mph) and its central pressure was estimated at 996 hPa.

Tropical Cyclone "Daya", February 11, 2016, 11:30 UTC. Image credit: UW-CIMSS

The tropical cyclone is forecast to move southeastward along the western periphery of a north-south oriented subtropical ridge, according to JTWC. It is expected to intensify over the next 24 hours, and then weaken rapidly as it encounters increasing vertical wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures. 

This visible image of Tropical Storm "10S" (Daya) was captured by the MODIS instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite on February 10, 2016, as it continued to move south of La Reunion Island. Image credit: NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team

At its peak intensity, Daya will pack maximum sustained winds of 92.6 km/h (57.5 mph) and gusts reaching 120.4 km/h (74.8 mph).

Tropical Cyclone "Daya" 3-day forecast track. Image credit: JTWC

On its current forecast track, the system will move away from Madagascar and La Reunion and is expected to have no significant impact on the islands.

Featured image: Tropical Cyclone "Daya", February 11, 2016, 11:30 UTC. Image credit: UW-CIMSS