Tropical Storm Dexter passed south of Newfoundland on Wednesday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Dexter was located at latitude 40.2°N and longitude 54.2°W which put the center about 450 miles (730 km) south of Cape Race, Newfoundland. Dexter was moving toward the east at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.
Tropical Storm Dexter was making a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Wednesday evening. Dexter was move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24°C. It was moving under the southern part of an upper level trough that is southwest of Greenland. The upper level trough was producing strong westerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Dexter’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The cool Sea Surface Temperatures and the strong vertical wind shear were causing Tropical Storm Dexter to make a transition to an extraropical cyclone.
The transition to an extratropical cyclone was causing changes to the structure of Tropical Storm Dexter. Thunderstorms were still developing in the eastern side of Dexter’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Dexter consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.
The size of the circulation around Tropical Storm Dexter increased as Dexter made its transition to an extratropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 170 miles (275 km) from the center of Dexter’s circulation.
The upper level trough southwest of Greenland will steer Tropical Storm Dexter toward the east-northeast during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Dexter will pass south of Greenland and Iceland.
Tropical Storm Dexter will complete the transition to a strong extratropical cyclone on Thursday. Dexter is likely to strengthen as it completes the transition to an extratropical cyclone.
