Tropical Storm Odette formed south of New England on Friday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Odette was located at latitude 36.7°N and longitude 71.8°W which put it about 325 miles (525 km) south-southwest of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Odette was moving toward the northeast at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were’ wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1010 mb.

A new circulation center developed on the northern side of a larger low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean south of New England on Friday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Odette. The low level center of Odette was surrounded by lower clouds and showers. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands on the northern and eastern periphery of Tropical Storm Odette. Bands in the other parts of Odette’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level trough over the eastern U.S. was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing across the top of Tropical Storm Odette. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) on the eastern side of Odette. The winds on the western side of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Odette will move through an environment that is somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Odette will move over water in the Gulf Stream where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. The upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will continue to cause vertical wind shear, but the shear could decrease on Saturday. Tropical Storm Odette could strengthen during the next 24 hours. Odette will move over cooler water later in the weekend when it moves north of the Gulf Stream. Tropical Storm Odette will make a transition to an extratropical cyclone when it moves over cooler water. Odette could strengthen during the transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will steer Tropical Storm Odette toward the northeast during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Odette will pass southeast of Cape Cod. Odette could approach southeastern Newfoundland by late in the weekend.