Tropical Depression Twelve formed over the eastern Atlantic Ocean west of the Cabo Verde Islands on Tuesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Twelve was located at latitude 14.9°N and longitude 30.5°W which put it about 440 miles (705 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands. The tropical depression was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.
A distinct low level center of circulation formed within a tropical wave over the eastern Atlantic Ocean west of the Cabo Verde Islands on Tuesday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Twelve. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and eastern sides of the center of the tropical depression. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.
Tropical Depression Twelve will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. Tropical Depression Twelve will move between an upper level ridge over West Africa and an upper level trough northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. The flows in the ridge and trough will interact to produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Depression Twelve could intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours if the upper level winds do not get any stronger.
Tropical Depression Twelve will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over West Africa. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Twelve will move farther away from the Cabo Verde Islands.
