The Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies on NASA's Aqua satellite has amazing resolution from space, and captured the former tropical storm Cleo's cloudless eye early this morning as it morphs into a cyclone. MODIS captured an image of Cleo on December 8 at 8:15 UTC (03:15 a.m. ET) as it passed overhead from its orbit in space.

The development of an eye is an indication that Cleo strengthened overnight and is now a tropical cyclone. Cleo has sustained winds near 109 mph (95 knots) with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds only extend out to 25 miles from the center right now, while tropical storm-force winds extend as far as 65 miles. Cleo is at the top end of the Category Two Saffir-Simpson scale. Category three cyclones have sustained winds from 111 to 130 mph. Cleo was located 340 miles southeast of Diego Garcia, near 10.8 degrees South latitude and 76.4 degrees East longitude, moving west-southwest at near 12 mph. Currently, Cleo isn't threatening any landmasses. As Cleo is in a favorable area for strengthening, it is expected to reach Category 3 status later today or tomorrow. The current forecast track takes Cleo passing well to the north of La Reunion and Mauritius. (Text credit: Rob Gutro, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center)