Blog note. Jesus indicated that ‘fearful sights’ (various natural disasters) would occur leading up to the time known as the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a combined seven year period of great destruction on earth). Although these types of things have occurred in the past for centuries and thousands of years, they could be identified as the ‘season of the times’ due to the ferociousness of these events. They would be occurring in greater intensity, severity, frequency, size, duration, scope … just like the pains that a women experiences in labor the farther along she is in the labor process. We are in the ‘season of the times’ that comes just before the seven (7) year Tribulation/Great Tribulation period

… And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11).

… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)

… Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken; (Luke 21:26)

… This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)

Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for as the age of grace comes to a close. These verses are several of many such prophecies from throughout the Bible. 2017 was the worst year in recorded history for the intensity, frequency, severity, duration and occurrence of a large number of severe natural disasters worldwide. Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, torrential flooding, unprecedented wildfires in unusual places, devastating droughts, excessive/scorching heat setting records everywhere, record snowfalls in Europe and Russia. Snow in the Arabia. This list can go on. Most studied Eschatologists believe these ‘fearful sights’ and massive natural disasters are all part of the ‘CONVERGENCE’ of signs that this Biblical and prophetic age is closing. Most people who study prophecy are familiar with the routine reference(s) made that these things will be like a woman having labor pains that occur in greater severity, frequency, size and duration prior to giving birth. End of note.

Two tropical cyclones form east of Madagascar – Gelena and Funani

Posted by Teo Blašković on February 6, 2019

Two tropical cyclones formed east of Madagascar over the past 24 hours and were named Funani and Gelena. They are 7^th and 8^th named storms of the 2018/19 South Indian Ocean tropical cyclone season. Gelena is expected to pose a threat to Mauritius and Rodrigues Islands later this week and Funani forced authorities to issue heavy rain, strong winds and a “Class II” warning for Rodrigues Island.

Tropical Cyclone “Gelena” formed over the South Indian Ocean just east of Madagascar on Wednesday, February 6 and continued strengthening. At 18:00 UTC, it had a maximum average 10-minute wind speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) and central pressure of 980 hPa, according to the RMSC La Reunion.

“Surprisingly, Gelena has drifted west-southwestwards this evening. According to all the guidance, this should be a short-lived motion and a generally slow motion is expected later tonight followed by a gradual south-south-eastwards and then south-eastwards turn. The system should gradually accelerate southeastwards from Thursday, funneled between the trough and the near-equatorial ridge in the north-east of the system,” the center said.

A new increase in strength is anticipated and a new rapid intensification spell is possible until Friday evening, February 8 especially with the small size of the inner core allowing rapid variations of the intensity. This will be followed by the beginning of slow weakening Saturday evening, February 9. However, the rapid motion of Gelena could allow it to escape the harmful effects of the strong upper winds at first, making the exact timing of the beginning of the weakening a little more uncertain than usual.

Gelena is expected to pose a threat to Mauritius and Rodrigues Islands later this week, weather authorities said, urging the inhabitants of those islands to closely monitor the evolution of the system.

Funani formed February 5 while moving southwest. At 18:00 UTC on February 6, it had maximum average 10-minute wind speed of 157 km/h (98 mph) and central pressure of 962 hPa.

“The eye pattern of Funani has continued to improve this evening with cooling cloud tops that surround a fairly well-defined eye. Some fluctuations are observed in the eye definition but overall the cloud pattern is impressive,” RSMC La Reunion meteorologists said. “Funani seems to have taken a more south-eastwards turn during the last 6 hours and this seems some rather good news for Rodrigues Island.”

Although not reflected in the forecast, Funani may still gain some strength in the next 12 hours. Tomorrow, the western vertical wind shear ahead of the upper level trough should become moderate to strong. Its influence should be attenuated by the fast southeastwards motion, but it should, however, start a slow weakening trend. Nevertheless, the high forward motion of the system will induce large winds extension in the northeastern part of the circulation.

From the end of the week, the system should lose its purely tropical characteristics as it interacts with the subtropical jet.