Gonu: An Unusual Weather Event

Gonu, a relatively rare tropical cyclone (rare in the sense of where it is located and its strength) has been moving northwestward through the Arabian Sea the past two days.  Its significance is due to its proximity to the oil production areas and shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf.  Fortunately, Gonu is now weakening rather rapidly as it incorporates (entrains) dry air aloft northwest of the system over the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf.  It is expected to continue to weaken as it brushes by the Oman coast and curves northward into southeastern Iran, reaching Iran as a 70kt tropical cyclone in about 30 hours.  A few interesting images of the storm follow:

1) Tropical Cyclone Gonu, 04 June 2007, 0600 GMT
     (near its peak intensity, sustained winds 130kt, gusts to 160kt)

2) Tropical Cyclone Gonu, 05 June 2007, 1130 GMT
    (sustained winds of 105kt, gusts to 130kt)

3) Forecast track and intensity as of 05 June 2007, 1500 GMT
    (from the U.S. Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

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