Gafilo closes in on Madagascar

This is the general tropical discussion area. Anyone can take their shot at predicting a storms path.

Moderator: S2k Moderators

Forum rules

The posts in this forum are NOT official forecasts and should not be used as such. They are just the opinion of the poster and may or may not be backed by sound meteorological data. They are NOT endorsed by any professional institution or STORM2K. For official information, please refer to products from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service.

Help Support Storm2K
Message
Author
User avatar
senorpepr
Military Met/Moderator
Military Met/Moderator
Posts: 12542
Age: 43
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2003 9:22 pm
Location: Mackenbach, Germany
Contact:

Gafilo closes in on Madagascar

#1 Postby senorpepr » Fri Mar 05, 2004 5:21 pm

ANTANANARIVO (AFP) - Tropical cyclone Gafilo is nearing Madagascar and expected to sweep across the northwestern coast of the Indian Ocean island nation on Sunday, the local meteorological office warned.

"We've issued an alert for the whole of northwestern Madagascar, from Tamatave to Diego, because a cyclone has developed and is heading straight for the town of Sambava," a weather expert told AFP.

Last month, 29 people were killed, 100 injured and 44,000 left homeless by cyclone Elita, according to figures released by the national rescue council. The government of the large country off Africa's southeast coast has asked for aid.

"At noon local time (0900 GMT), the cyclone was 700 kilometres (434 miles) northeast of Sambava. Average wind speed was 130 kilometres per hour, with gusts of 180 kph," the meteorologist said.

Madagascar is usually exposed to cyclones between December and March, but the season can be longer. In May 2003, cyclone Manou devastated part of the country, killing 70 people on the east coast.
0 likes   

User avatar
Aslkahuna
Professional-Met
Professional-Met
Posts: 4550
Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2003 5:00 pm
Location: Tucson, AZ
Contact:

Elita

#2 Postby Aslkahuna » Fri Mar 05, 2004 7:24 pm

however, was no Gafilo. This storm is expected to peak at 140kt before weakening to 125kt when it makes landfall plus it's a fairly large storm so Madagascar is in for really serious trouble. The rains when that system hits the interior mountains are going to cause some real problems on those denuded slopes.

Steve
0 likes   

User avatar
mf_dolphin
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 17758
Age: 68
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2002 2:05 pm
Location: St Petersburg, FL
Contact:

#3 Postby mf_dolphin » Fri Mar 05, 2004 9:08 pm

Gafilo is not looking good for Madagascar at all. That's a pretty tight eye and what looks like large wind field. It's not going to be fun at all whe it rolls ashore.
0 likes   

User avatar
senorpepr
Military Met/Moderator
Military Met/Moderator
Posts: 12542
Age: 43
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2003 9:22 pm
Location: Mackenbach, Germany
Contact:

#4 Postby senorpepr » Fri Mar 05, 2004 9:25 pm

Yes, and Gafilo is currently at 155mph with a pressure of 904mb.
0 likes   

User avatar
KatDaddy
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 2815
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2002 6:23 pm
Location: League City, Texas

TC Gafilo potential to be Madagascar's worst Cyclone

#5 Postby KatDaddy » Sat Mar 06, 2004 2:48 am

The satellite image says it all. TC Gafilo has become an extremely powerful cyclone. 155MPH at last report however I would venture to say its around 170MPH.

http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/real- ... r-nh16.GIF
0 likes   
The following post is NOT an official forecast and should not be used as such. It is just the opinion of the poster and may or may not be backed by sound meteorological data. It is NOT endorsed by any professional institution including storm2k.org For Official Information please refer to the NHC and NWS products.

User avatar
southerngale
Retired Staff
Retired Staff
Posts: 27418
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2002 1:27 am
Location: Southeast Texas (Beaumont area)

#6 Postby southerngale » Sat Mar 06, 2004 2:51 am

Wow....Gafilo looks very impressive!!!
0 likes   
Please support Storm2k by making a donation today. It is greatly appreciated! Click here: Image

Image my Cowboys Image my RocketsImage my Astros


Return to “Talkin' Tropics”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: CFLHurricane, Coolcruiseman, Cpv17, duilaslol, gatorcane, IcyTundra, ouragans, SFLcane, TheBurn, WaveBreaking, Weathertracker96 and 152 guests