Early season Abela forms in the southwest Indian Ocean, moving toward Madagascar
A rare tropical disturbance (01S) for this time of year formed southwest of Diego Garcia in the southwest Indian Ocean on July 16, 2016. 01S strengthened into a Moderate Tropical Storm on Sunday, July 17 and was named Abela. Abela is southern hemisphere's first tropical cyclone of the 2016/17 season.
Abela formed as only the third occurrence of a tropical cyclone existing in the southwest Indian Ocean during the month of July. The others were Tropical Storm "Odette" in 1971 and Tropical Depression "M2" in 1997.
Tropical Storm "Abela" on July 17, 2016. Credit: NASA/NOAA/DoD Suomi NPP / VIIRS
The system is moving toward Madagascar but is expected to lose its tropical storm status late on July 18. Adele will continue moving toward Madagascar as a tropical depression on July 19 and 20, and turn south. It will move along the eastern coast of Madagascar as a weak low pressure area by July 22, according to RSMC La Reunion.
Although this system will weaken and stay away from any coastline, locally heavy rain is possible.
Tropical Storm #Abela looks to impact #Mauritius and #Madagascar over the coming days, very rare for Julyhttps://t.co/xRdzut8eee
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 18, 2016
At 21:00 UTC on July 17, Abela's center was located about 1 031 km (640 miles) northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. The system has tracked WSW at 28 km/h (17 mph) over the past six hours. Animated multispectral imagery depicts a symmetric system of weak banding and flaring central convection. The current intensity is assessed at 83 km/h (52 mph), the JTWC noted.
Tropical Storm "Abela" at 18:00 UTC on July 17, 2016. Credit: EUMETSAT, JTWC/SATOPS
JTWC added the system is becoming increasingly isolated from the bulk moisture content in the region. Combined with sea surface temperatures near 25 °C (77 °F), this suggests further intensification is unlikely.
Abela is expected to dissipate within the next 48 hours as it tracks southwestward along the periphery of a mid to low-level subtropical ridge into cooler waters and higher wind shear due to interaction with the subtropical westerly jet.
Tropical Storm "Abela" – NHC-IR image at 06:30 UTC on July 18, 2016. Credit: UW-CIMSS
Featured image: Tropical Storm "Abela" on July 17, 2016. Credit: NASA/NOAA/DoD Suomi NPP / VIIRS
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