Direction Interrégionale de LA REUNION
B.P.4    97491 Ste Clotilde Cedex
Téléphone                02.62.92.11.00
Fax exploitation      02.62.92.11.48
Fax direction           02.62.92.11.47

WTIO20 FMEE 171800 SECURITE NEAR GALE WARNING FOR METAREA VIII (S) ISSUED BY METEO-FRANCE/TROPICAL CYCLONE CENTRE/LA REUNION 17/12/2008 AT 1800 UTC. WARNING NUMBER: 8/4 (SOUTH-WEST INDIAN OCEAN) 10 MINUTES AVERAGE WIND SPEED IN KNOTS (KT) (WIND GUSTS AT SEA MAY BE ABOUT 40% STRONGER THAN THE AVERAGED WIND). MINIMUM SEA LEVEL PRESSURE IN HECTOPASCALS (HPA) (INDICATIVE FIGURE). NEAR GALE WARNING BEGINNING OF VALIDITY: WEDNESDAY 17/12/2008 AT 1800 UTC. PHENOMENON: TROPICAL DEPRESSION 4 997 HPA POSITION: WITHIN 30 NM RADIUS OF POINT 10.9S / 67.0E (TEN DECIMAL NINE DEGREES SOUTH AND SIXTY SEVEN DECIMAL ZERO DEGREES EAST) AT 1800 UTC MOVEMENT: SOUTH 4 KT THREAT AREAS: 5QUALLY WEATHER EXISTS WITHIN 60 NM RADIUS FROM THE CENTRE, EXTENDING UP TO 250 NM IN THE NORTHEASTERN SECTOR AND UP TO 350 NM IN THE SOUTHEASTERN QUADRANT. CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY EVEN EXTENDING LOCALLY BEYOND DIEGO-GARCIA IN THE EASTERN TO NORTHEASTERN SECTOR. NEAR GALE FORCE WINDS 30 KT AND ROUGH SEAS WITHIN 20 NM RADIUS FROM THE CENTRE EXTENDING UP TO 70 NM IN THE SOUTHERN SEMI-CIRCLE WHERE IT REACH LOCALLY 35 KT. STRONG GUSTS UNDER SQUALLS. FORECAST POSITION AND INTENSITY: 12H, VALID 2008/12/18 AT 06 UTC: 12.0S / 66.6E, MAX WIND = 35 KT, MODERATE TROP. STORM. 24H, VALID 2008/12/18 AT 18 UTC: 13.0S / 66.0E, MAX WIND = 35 KT, MODERATE TROP. STORM. OTHER INFORMATIONS: THE LOW CENTRE SEEMS TO TRACK ON A SLOW SOUTHWARDS MOTION. INTENSITY IS CLOSED TO TROPICAL STORM STRENGH. STRONGER WINDS EXTEND FURTHER IN THE SOUTHERN SEMI-CIRCLE, DUE TO THE GRADIENT EFFECT WITH THE SUBTROPICAL HIGH PRESSURES. THE POTENTIAL FOR INTENSIFICATION OF THIS SYSTEM APPEARS LIMTED. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ARE STILL EXPECTED TO DETERIORATE IN MORE OR LESS 24 HOURS.