Tropical Cyclone Robyn weakened over the South Indian Ocean on Friday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Robyn was located at latitude 18.9°S and longitude 94.5°E which put the center about 485 miles (780 km) south-southwest of the Cocos Islands. Robyn was moving toward the southeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.
The western end of an upper level ridge that was west of Australia produced strong northwesterly winds that blew across the top of Tropical Cyclone Robyn. Those strong winds created strong vertical wind shear. The strong northwesterly winds also blew the tops off of all of the thunderstorms in Robyn’s circulation. The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Robyn consisted entirely of bands of showers and lower clouds.
The circulation around Tropical Storm Robyn was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Robyn’s circulation.
Tropical Cyclone Robyn will move through an environment that will continue to be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Robyn will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C. The western end of the upper level ridge that is west of Australia will continue produce strong northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of the Robyn’s circulation. Those winds will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The combination of strong vertical wind shear and marginal Sea Surface Temperatures is likely to cause Tropical Cyclone Robyn to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Cyclone Robyn will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is west of Australia. The high pressure system will steer Robyn toward the south during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Robyn will move farther away from the Cocos Islands.
