Cyclone Nilofar

North Indian cyclone in 2014

Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Nilofar
Nilofar shortly before peak intensity on October 28
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 25, 2014
DissipatedOctober 31, 2014
Extremely severe cyclonic storm
3-minute sustained (IMD)
Highest winds205 km/h (125 mph)
Lowest pressure950 hPa (mbar); 28.05 inHg
Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS)
Highest winds215 km/h (130 mph)
Lowest pressure937 hPa (mbar); 27.67 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities4 total
DamageMinimal
Areas affectedOman, India, Pakistan
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata

Part of the 2014 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Nilofar was, at the time, the third-strongest cyclone in the Arabian Sea. In late October 2014, it reached peak maximum sustained winds estimated between 205 km/h (125 mph) and 215 km/h (130 mph). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) named it Nilofar; the name refers to the water lily, and was suggested by Pakistan.[1] The western fringes of the storm caused flash flooding in northeastern Oman, killing four people.

Nilofar originated from a low-pressure area between India and the Arabian Peninsula. It developed into a depression on October 25 and moved generally northward through an area of favorable conditions. The system intensified into a cyclonic storm on October 26. Quickly organizing due to the conditions, Nilofar developed a well-defined eye and structure, attaining its peak intensity on October 28. At the time, Nilofar was expected to make landfall in western India, prompting evacuations and preparations. However, high wind shear caused the storm to rapidly weaken, and Nilofar degraded into a remnant low-pressure area on October 31 off the Indian state of Gujarat.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
circle Tropical cyclone
square Subtropical cyclone
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression