Severe Tropical Storm Candice Lashes Mascarene Islands
Severe Tropical Storm Candice formed in the Southwest Indian Ocean on January 22, 2024, south of Madagascar and east of the Mascarene Islands. The system intensified as it tracked southward, reaching peak intensity on January 26 near 26.2°S and 61.8°E. Candice reached maximum sustained winds of 101 km/h (55 kt) with a central pressure of 980 hPa under the monitoring of regional meteorological authorities. The storm brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and marine hazards to parts of Réunion and Mauritius before weakening over open waters and dissipating on January 28.
Formation Near Madagascar: Candice Takes Shape Over Open Waters
Candice developed within the Southwest Indian Ocean cyclone basin, an area monitored by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) La Réunion / Météo-France. The disturbance formed south of Madagascar on January 22, with initial conditions supporting gradual organization over warm tropical waters. The system began with winds around 64 km/h (35 kt) and a central pressure near 1004 hPa before consolidating into a named tropical cyclone system.
The storm moved generally southward and passed east of Madagascar without making direct landfall. Its circulation expanded while convection increased around the center, allowing Candice to strengthen through January 23 and January 24. The system reached severe tropical storm classification as wind speeds increased, meeting the severe tropical storm classification threshold of RSMC La Réunion / Météo-France.
As Candice approached the broader Mascarene Islands region, authorities monitored rainfall and wind impacts. Mauritius Meteorological Services issued a Class 2 Cyclone Warning during the storm’s closer approach, alerting residents and maritime interests to deteriorating weather conditions. Réunion also experienced rainfall from Candice’s outer bands, with localized impacts including intense rain and gusty winds.
The storm remained offshore, limiting the scale of direct physical damage compared with major landfalling cyclones. Madagascar stayed outside the core of Candice’s strongest winds, while India, Australia, and South Pacific island nations were not affected by the storm’s circulation.
Peak Strength and Southern Turn: Candice Peaks at 55 kt on January 26
Candice reached its maximum intensity at 06:00 UTC on January 26, 2024, when the cyclone was positioned near 26.2°S and 61.8°E. Best-track analysis recorded maximum sustained winds of 101 km/h (55 kt) and a minimum central pressure of 980 hPa. The peak occurred over open ocean as the storm continued its southward movement away from the main island populations.
Following the peak, Candice weakened as environmental conditions became less favorable for tropical development. The system’s wind field gradually declined, and pressure increased as the cyclone moved into cooler southern waters. By January 27, the storm had weakened substantially, with wind speeds decreasing toward 74 km/h (40 kt) while the center continued moving farther south.
The weakening phase eased the threat to populated areas around the Indian Ocean islands. Rain bands associated with Candice continued to influence weather conditions around parts of the Mascarene region, but the storm did not produce the destructive impacts seen during stronger systems that strike island territories directly.
The cyclone’s track highlighted the importance of regional warning networks. Mauritius Meteorological Services and RSMC La Réunion / Météo-France tracked Candice’s position and intensity changes, providing updates as the storm moved through the basin.
Final Dissipation: Candice Becomes a Post-Tropical Depression
Candice continued weakening after January 27 while moving into higher southern latitudes. The system lost tropical characteristics as convection decreased and the circulation became less organized. On January 28, the storm was classified as a post-tropical depression near 34.3°S and 60.5°E.
The circulation weakened further, with winds falling to around 46 km/h (25 kt) and pressure rising to approximately 1005 hPa before dissipation.
The complete track recorded by international cyclone databases placed Candice’s formation near 15.6°S and 58.2°E on January 22, its peak near 26.2°S and 61.8°E on January 26, and its final weakening near 34.3°S and 60.5°E on January 28. The system remained classified within the Southwest Indian Ocean basin throughout its monitored tropical phase before becoming a post-tropical depression.