Super Tropical Cyclone Phailin Has Made Landfall in Northeastern India

As of midday on Saturday, EDT, Super Cyclonic Storm Phailin (02B) is an extremely dangerous storm with sustained winds of 130 knots (150 mph). Wind gusts are approaching 180 mph. The center has now crossed the coast and has made landfall and the storm is moving inland across the Indian states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

Phailin has the intensity of a strong Category 4 hurricane. Satellite imagery of Phailin remains very impressive symmetrical convection wrapped around a small, distinct eye. There is, however, some deterioration of the cold cloud tops associated with the core of the storm. Phailin has the "classic" look of a well-defined tropical system although the eye is becoming obscured now that the center has moved inland of the coast.

Specifically, landfall is expected to occur very near the Orissa and northern Andhra Pradesh boarders. This would put the city of Brahmapur in about the worst possible location. Again, the affects in these areas will be catastrophic. A storm surge of 15-20 feet is expected near the point of landfall, as well as sustained winds close to 150 mph.

While Phailin will weaken after landfall, heavy rain will cause flooding well inland through the weekend into early next week. Widespread rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches are expected, but there will be some places that easily get more than 15 inches.

Elsewhere across the Indian Ocean, there are no concerns for tropical development over the next several days.

By AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Adam Douty and updated by Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski

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