Tropical Cyclone Murjan

[Somerset Squall]

At last!!! We have a tropical cyclone in the North Indian Ocean, the first of the season! I was beginning to think that we may actually get a season with no tropical cyclone activity going on at the rate we were going! Tropical cyclone activity in the North Indian Ocean runs from April to December with spikes in activity in May and November. The first "spike", was very much absent.

Anyway, Tropical Cyclone Murjan has formed approximately 300 miles east-southeast of Cape Guardafui, Somaila. Murjan has sustained winds of 35kts currently. The cyclone has some well developed banding features, but convection is slightly lacking over the LLC itself. A subtropical ridge to the north is guiding Murjan westwards towards the Somalian coast, and landfall is expected to occur within the next 24hrs. Therefore, Murjan has little time to strengthen. However, conditions are favourable so Murjan may reach a 45-50kt peak prior to landfall.

[Somerset Squall]

Dry air intrusion has capped Murjan's intensity at 35kts. The storm retains a well defined LLC but the convection is quite shallow in relation to it. Murjan is hours away from landfall where dissipation should occur quite quickly over Somalia.

[Somerset Squall]

Murjan has crossed the coast and is moving further inland. Dry air coupled with passage over land is weakening Murjan fast. There shouldn't be much left of Murjan by morning. JTWC have issued their last advisory.

[Coast]

http://phys.org/news/2012-10-nasa-tropical-storm-murjan-landfall.html