TROPICAL CYCLONE COMPOSITE STRUCTURE AND IMPACTS OVER EASTERN MADAGASCAR DURING JANUARY-MARCH 1994

Three tropical cyclones crossing the east coast of Madagascar in early 1994 are analysed for composite structure using ECMWF data. TCs Daisy , Geralda and Litanne took similar paths and made landfall on 13 Janua ry, 2 February and 15 March, respectively. Because of their similarity , and the inability of the model to resolve detailed structure in a po orly observed region, composites are constructed for 3 days before lan dflall (C1) and 3 days during landfall (C2). The interaction between t he TC and the background circulation forms the focus of the study. Ans wers are sought for the repeatability of this extreme weather phenomen a during the 1994 season.