Tropical storm Wilfred (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 18 – September 21 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min) 1007 mbar (hPa) |
On September 13, the NHC began to monitor a tropical wave over Africa for possible development.[341] It subsequently emerged over the eastern Atlantic and began to slowly organize as it moved westward, although it continually failed to obtain a well-defined low-level circulation (LLC).[342] However, at 15:00 UTC on September 18, an LLC was found and, as it already had gale force winds, the system was designated as Tropical Storm Wilfred.[343] Wilfred was the earliest 21st named storm on record, beating out Hurricane Vince of 2005 by 20 days,[344] and is only the second "W" named storm in the Atlantic (joining 2005's Hurricane Wilma) since naming began in 1950.[345] Located at a relatively low latitude, Wilfred remained weak and changed little in appearance due to wind shear and unfavorable conditions caused by the outflow of nearby Hurricane Teddy.[346] Wilfred as a result failed to strengthen and at 15:00 UTC on September 20, Wilfred weakened to a tropical depression.[347] Wilfred eventually degenerated into a trough at 03:00 UTC on September 21.[348]