ALERT: Southward bound Cyclone Enawo hits Madagascar with 220km/h winds, steering clear of Moz, SA

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ALERT: Southward bound Cyclone Enawo hits Madagascar with 220km/h winds, steering clear of Moz, SA

2:48 CAT | 07 Mar 2017

Madagascar-se-prepare-a-l-arrivee-du-cyclone-Enawo

Météo-France

Intense Tropical Cyclone Enawo, whose name originated from Malawi, has just made landfall over the north-eastern parts of Madagascar, near the town of Antalaha.

According to the South Africa Weather Service’s Chief Forecaster Ezekiel Sebego, the cyclone has maximum average wind speeds of about 220 km/h and torrential rains, with conditions expected to persist until Friday as it moves back over open water around the south-east of Madagascar.

However Sebego says the weather service can state with confidence that there is no concern about this weather system for South Africans at all.

Last month parts of the country were severely affected by the effects of Cyclone Dinoe, which although downgraded to a tropical storm it brought with it wind speeds in excess of 65km/h and heavy rainfall.

Enawo will follow a track southwards

“It is then expected that Enawo will follow a track southwards, through the drought-stricken island state during the next few days. Heavy rains are expected over most of the island, especially over the eastern parts where there are mountains running parallel to the coast.

Even though the winds are expected to moderate upon landfall, gale force (atleast 65km/h) are expected to persist along the island’s east coast until Friday,” says Sebego.

“The storm’s path thereafter has now become clearer and is expected to continue on a southward track into the higher latitudes, staying well clear of South Africa and Mozambique.”

Figure 1. A Meteosat Color-enhanced Infrared satellite image of the south-west Indian ocean at 09h30 SAST, 7 March 2017, indicating the position of Intense Tropical Cyclone “Enawo” with an impressive eye pattern and very cold cloud tops. © Eumetsat 2017.

Figure 2. Enawo’s Forecast path for the next two days. © METEO FRANCE 2017.

The South African Weather Service says it will continue to monitor any further developments relating to this weather system and will issue subsequent updates as required.