Cyclonic Storm Kyarr forms in Arabian Sea, will lash west coast of India with wind and rain
By
Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Oct 24, 2019 3:17 PM EST
Cyclonic Storm Kyarr has formed off the west coast of #India and is expected to continue to strengthen as it brings tropical downpours to coastal areas into the weekend
On Thursday, the area of disturbed weather over the east-central Arabian Sea became better organized and was designated a tropical depression by the Indian Meteorological Department. The depression became Cyclonic Storm Kyarr on Friday.
A satellite image of Cyclonic Storm Kyarr off the west coast of India.
The storm will begin to track slowly to the east and northeast through the end of the week. Additional strengthening is likely as the feature will be in an area of low wind shear.
As the storm approaches the coast it will increase tropical moisture to and fuel periods of heavy downpours. Widespread rainfall totals of 75 to 150 mm (3 to 6 inches) are likely across the western coast of India.
The heaviest downpours are expected along the coasts of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and northern Kerala.
"Rainfall totals can climb to 150 mm to 300 mm (6 to 12 inches) in areas of heaviest rain," stated AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk.
Much of western India has already reached or surpassed normal rainfall totals for the month of October, including Mumbai where 64 mm (2.54 inches) has been recorded so far this month. The normal is 60 mm (2.38 inches).
Flash flooding will be likely in Mumbai as well as Ratnagiri and Mangalore.
Winds will also increase along the coast, especially in areas to the southeast of the storm's track.
Sustained winds are forecast to reach 40 to 55 km/h (25 to 35 mph) with winds gusts up to 90 km/h (55 mph) possible at the coast.
There is still some uncertainty as to how much the storm will strengthen and how close to the coast the storm will track.
"If the storm moves closer to the Maharashtra, the higher end of the ranges of rainfall totals and wind gusts will be more likely," added Houk.
Strong winds will also lead to rough surf and coastal flooding, especially in areas to the south and east of the storm.
Tropical downpours will gradually taper off along India's west coast this weekend as the storm is forecast to make a sharp turn and begin to track to the west before it has a chance to move inland.
During this time, there is still an opportunity for the storm to strengthen as wind shear will remain light and sea surface temperatures across the Arabian sea are in upper 20s C (middle 80s F).
Conditions will continue to improve across northwestern India through the latter half of the weekend. While isolated showers and thunderstorms can be in the area, much drier weather will be in place for the start of Diwali.
The storm will track across the Arabian Sea and by the latter half of next week the storm is expected to approach the Arabian Peninsula.
Interests in Oman and Yemen should monitor this feature through next week as the storm has the potential to bring heavy rain, damaging wind gusts and rough surf to coastal locations.
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News / Weather News
Cyclonic Storm Kyarr forms in Arabian Sea, will lash west coast of India with wind and rain
By Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Oct 24, 2019 3:17 PM EST
Cyclonic Storm Kyarr has formed off the west coast of #India and is expected to continue to strengthen as it brings tropical downpours to coastal areas into the weekend
On Thursday, the area of disturbed weather over the east-central Arabian Sea became better organized and was designated a tropical depression by the Indian Meteorological Department. The depression became Cyclonic Storm Kyarr on Friday.
A satellite image of Cyclonic Storm Kyarr off the west coast of India.
The storm will begin to track slowly to the east and northeast through the end of the week. Additional strengthening is likely as the feature will be in an area of low wind shear.
As the storm approaches the coast it will increase tropical moisture to and fuel periods of heavy downpours. Widespread rainfall totals of 75 to 150 mm (3 to 6 inches) are likely across the western coast of India.
The heaviest downpours are expected along the coasts of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and northern Kerala.
"Rainfall totals can climb to 150 mm to 300 mm (6 to 12 inches) in areas of heaviest rain," stated AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk.
Much of western India has already reached or surpassed normal rainfall totals for the month of October, including Mumbai where 64 mm (2.54 inches) has been recorded so far this month. The normal is 60 mm (2.38 inches).
Flash flooding will be likely in Mumbai as well as Ratnagiri and Mangalore.
Winds will also increase along the coast, especially in areas to the southeast of the storm's track.
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Sustained winds are forecast to reach 40 to 55 km/h (25 to 35 mph) with winds gusts up to 90 km/h (55 mph) possible at the coast.
There is still some uncertainty as to how much the storm will strengthen and how close to the coast the storm will track.
"If the storm moves closer to the Maharashtra, the higher end of the ranges of rainfall totals and wind gusts will be more likely," added Houk.
Strong winds will also lead to rough surf and coastal flooding, especially in areas to the south and east of the storm.
Tropical downpours will gradually taper off along India's west coast this weekend as the storm is forecast to make a sharp turn and begin to track to the west before it has a chance to move inland.
During this time, there is still an opportunity for the storm to strengthen as wind shear will remain light and sea surface temperatures across the Arabian sea are in upper 20s C (middle 80s F).
Conditions will continue to improve across northwestern India through the latter half of the weekend. While isolated showers and thunderstorms can be in the area, much drier weather will be in place for the start of Diwali.
The storm will track across the Arabian Sea and by the latter half of next week the storm is expected to approach the Arabian Peninsula.
Interests in Oman and Yemen should monitor this feature through next week as the storm has the potential to bring heavy rain, damaging wind gusts and rough surf to coastal locations.
Report a Typo