TROPICAL DEPRESSION GISTA, 18-25 February

     About the third week of February, a closed circulation was
found near the middle of the Mozambique Canal.  On the 18th, the
satellite photos from NOAA 6 and 9 specified the development of the
situation.  They showed a moderate tropical depression (T3).  The
intensity increased to T3.5 on the following day, its center was
located between Juan de Nova and the southwest coast of Madagascar.
The depression was named Gista.

     At the beginning of its movement, Gista moved southeast, then
south, then southwest.  It followed along the southwest coasts of
Madagascar but remained more than 100 kilometers from it.  It
intensity varied a bit, from T3.5 to T4.

     On the 21st, Gista passed between Madagascar and the isle of
Europa.  On the night of the 21st-22nd, it became extra-tropical as
it crossed the Tropic of Capricorn.  The depression was still very
active, especially in the northwest part of the cloud mass joined
with the depression.

     At the end of its journey, the depression moved south, then
southeast.  Gista moved quickly away from the Grande Isle,
gradually weakening.  On the 24th, the residual depression
integrated into the succession of polar depressions toward the
east.

     The following data was received from the meteorology service
at Madagascar:
     Maintirano:  Minimum pressure: 1003.0 hPa (752 mm) Maximum
wind:  82 km/h 
     Morondava:  Minimum pressure:  1000.7 hPa (751 mm) Maximum
wind:  58 km/h
     Morombe:  Minimum pressure:  996.8 hPa (748 mm) Maximum wind:
76 km/h
     Tulear:  Minimum pressure:  996.4 hPa (747 mm) Maximum wind:
72 km/h

     Gista passed about 120 km southeast of Europa early day on
February 21st.  The depression was at its maximum intensity:  T3.5
to T4.  The barometer fell to 997.9 hPa (748.4 mm) at 0210 UT. 
Over the night of the 20th-21st, the winds blew at 39 knots
(72 km/h).

     Gista reached stage T4 and was classified among the strong
tropical depressions.  It had the following characteristics at its
center:
     Minimum pressure:  976 hPa (732 mm)
     Maximum wind:  50 knots (93 km/h)
     Wind gusts:  75 knots (139 km/h).