Tropical Cyclone “Dineo” about to hit Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone "Dineo" is still intensifying and is forecast to make landfall over the coast of southern Mozambique just after UTC midnight on February 16, 2017. Dineo is the fifth tropical cyclone of the 2016/17 Southern hemisphere tropical cyclone season.

At 03:00 UTC on February 15, Tropical Cyclone "Dineo" was located approximately 251 km (156 miles) WSW of Europa Island, and has tracked WSW at 11 km/h (6.9 mph). Animated enhanced infrared satellite imagery showed a compact system with deep convective banding wrapping tighter into and obscuring the low level circulation. 

Tropical Cyclone "Dineo" on February 15, 2017. Credit: EUMETSAT, JTWC/SATOPS

Tropical Cyclone "Dineo" forecast track by JTWC on February 15, 2017

Tropical Cyclone "Dineo" forecast track by RSMC La Reunion on February 15, 2017

At the time, Dineo's maximum sustained winds were reaching 111 km/h (69 mph) and the system was still intensifying, expected to reach 129 km/h (80 mph) before landfall. By early UTC afternoon, Dineo developed an eye.

Landfall is expected over the coast of Inhambane, southern Mozambique just after midnight UTC on February 16. It is possible Dineo's center will pass right over the city of Massinga. After that, the system will rapidly weaken and dissipate.

Update: 

Dineo hits Mozambique, leaves a trail of destruction and 4 dead

Featured image: Tropical Cyclone "Dineo" at 06:00 UTC on February 15, 2017. Credit: METEOSAT, NOAA