Cyclones ULUI and TOMAS – UPDATE Mar 14

Super Cyclone ULUI a Cat 5 Storm; Tomas, at Cat 1 force,  Intensifying

With Cyclone Tomas (TC 19P) still 620km away, Fijians on Vanua Levu island probably know by now what to expect because of strong winds and heavy rains that are already arriving , leaving a foretaste of  what is about to come their way.

Tropical Cyclone Tomas (TC 19P) – Summary of Details on March 14 at 00:01UTC

• Position:  13.3S 179.5W
• Max Sustained Winds :  ~ 145km/hr (78 kts)
• Wind Gusts: ~ 175km/hr ( 94 kts)
• Movement: Southwestward
• Forward Speed:  10km/hr (~ 06 kts)
• Location: 620km  (335 NM) NORTHEAST of NADI, FIJI
• Comment: Tomas is at a Category 1 strength on the  FEWW New Hurricane Scale and is  expected to continue intensifying over the next 48 to 72 hours until ocean heat content decreases and vertical wind shear increases.
• Sources: JTWC, Digital Typhoon, CIMSS and others.

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Super Cyclone ULUI, Cat 5 Hurricane Strength, Flexing Muscles on Open Water

If the super cyclone continues on its actual path (NOT forecast path), it could destroy most structures on the Island of Rennell, aka Mungava (Pop 3,000).

Super Cyclone ULUI  (TC 20P) Details on March 14 at 00:01UTC

• Position: 12.7S 161.6E
• Max Sustained Winds:  260 km/hr (~ 140 kts)
• Wind Gusts: 325km/hr (~ 175 kts)
• Movement:  Northwest
• Forward Speed:  ~13 km/hr ( 7 kts)
• Location: About 425km (230 NM) WNW of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
• Sources: JTWC, Digital Typhoon and others.

Super Cyclone ULUI. IR/WV Difference. Source: CIMSS. Click Images to enlarge.

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Related Links:

• TC ULUI and TOMAS – UPDATE Mar 13
• Tropical Cyclones Now Come in Pairs
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale

IMAGE UPDATE

The following MTSAT (NOAA) images were added at 08:00UTC – Click images to enlarge.

MTSAT – IR Image

MTSAT – Colorized IR Image

MTSAT – Visible Image

On Mar 14 at 08:00UTC

• Super Cyclone ULUI sustained wind speeds was recorded at 265km/hr
• -Cyclone Tomas intensified to a category 2A hurricane force (see below) with sustained winds of about 160km/hr