Tropical Cyclone Khai_muk

[Somerset Squall]

The fifth tropical cyclone of the 2008 North Indian Ocean cyclone season formed last night in the central Bay of Bengal. Since last night, the system has intensified to 45kts and has been named Khai Muk. The storm has a central dense overcast feature with good spiral banding and impressive outflow. Waters are warm beneath Khai Muk and therefore further intensification is predicted prior to an east Indian coast landfall in around 36hrs time. Khai Muk is forecast to make landfall north of Madras, India as a 55kt storm though there is potential for rapid strengthening to perhaps cat 1 on the saffir simpson scale if Khai Muk gets it's act together quick enough. It's certainly looking impressive right now and conditions are very good so expect at least some intensification prior to landfall.

Khai Muk is in the centre top of this satellite image:

[Somerset Squall]

Khai_Muk didn't intensify any further overnight and has since weakened to 40kts. Unexpected southeasterly shear limited convection to the northwestern quadrant leaving the southeastern quadrant largely devoid of any significant convection. As convection wasn't wrapping fully around the centre then Khai_Muk wasn't able to strengthen, and indeed is weakening currently just off the coast. Landfall is predicted to occur in the next few hours, where squally winds and heavy rains will begin. Indeed some of Khai_Muk's rains are already spreading inland.

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sorry for the lack updates from me,

all but gone this one

[Somerset Squall]

all but gone this one

Indeed, Khai_muk made landfall last night and has since rapidly dissipated.

Shear prior to landfall weakened the system which is good for those on the east Indian coast.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/15khai...-coastal-ap.htm

It's a long shot, but this might not be the last we hear from Khai_Muk. The JTWC mentions the possibility of the remnant low pushing into the Arabian sea in a couple days time. If the low survives this long, then redevelopment is possible.