Tropical Cyclone Report

Tropical Depression Two

Tropical Depression Two originated from a tropical wave that moved westward from the coast of Africa on 7 July. Evidence of a weak low-level circulation was seen on visible satellite images on the 10^th and a small area of deep convection developed over the circulation by the 11th. This, along with wind observations from U.S. Navy drifting buoy number 41562, is the basis for concluding that the wave became a tropical depression by 1800 UTC, 11 July, about 1000 n mi east of the Windward Islands. It is possible that depression status may have been reached six to twelve hours earlier.

The depression moved west-northwestward at about 15 knots with little change in strength for the next 24 hours under the steering influence of a strong subtropical ridge to the north. Vertical wind shear disrupted the depression and, by late on the 12^th, last-light visible satellite images indicated that there was no longer a closed low-level circulation. The depression dissipated about 600 n mi east of the Windward Islands. The remnant open wave produced showers across the Lesser Antilles on the 13th and 14th.