Summary
Tropical cyclone Gwenda began as a tropical low over the ocean area to the northwest of the continent near 12.85°S 109.0°E at 0000 UTC 6 February. The low moved slowly southwest from this position, gradually intensified and reached tropical cyclone intensity at 1200 UTC 7 February near 15.4°S 104.5°E, approximately 1200 km northwest of North West Cape. The cyclone continued to intensify for another 12 hours but its development was much slower as it moved westward at 18 km/h for the next 48 hours.
By 0000 UTC 10 February the cyclone was near 15.8°S 95.0°E and in the following 48 hours significant intensification resumed. An eye was first observed at 2100 UTC 10 February. During this period the cyclone slowed and moved initially west at 15 km/h and then southwest at 9 km/h to be near 17°S 90°E at 0000 UTC 12 February. At this time a modified Dvorak analysis indicated a central pressure of 941 hPa with maximum wind gusts to 235 km/h.
The cyclone then entered the Mauritian area of responsibility, was renamed Ezenina , and gradually weakened as it approached 80°E.
There was no known impact associated with TC Gwenda .
For more details see the TC Gwenda Report (pdf)
Track and intensity
All times in WST - subtract 8 hours to convert to UTC.
