Enough organization developed in the center of an area of low pressure that moved off the coast of Africa several days ago for the National Hurricane Center to classify it as Tropical Storm Grace.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Grace was located at latitude 12.6°N and longitude 26.4°W which put it about 285 miles (460 km) southwest of the Cape Verde Islands.  Grace was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1007 mb.

The area of low pressure that became Tropical Storm Grace had a large area of thunderstorms when it moved off the coast of West Africa.  A few thunderstorms developed closer to the center of circulation and there are signs that a couple of spiral bands could be forming near the core of Grace.  The strongest thunderstorms are occurring in the southwestern quadrant of the circulation.  Some of the thunderstorms appear to be getting taller, but the core of the circulation is still organizing.

Tropical Storm Grace is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  Although there are stronger upper level westerly winds north of the tropical storm, the vertical wind shear over Tropical Storm Grace is relatively modest.  It has a day or two for the core of the circulation to organize and to intensify.  When Grace moves farther west it could move into a region where there is drier air.  An upper level trough could produce more vertical wind shear when the tropical storm gets closer to the Caribbean Sea.

A subtropical ridge is steering Grace toward the west and that steering pattern is expected to continue for the next few days.  If Grace gets stronger and the convection taller, it would take a track a little farther to the north.  If it remains weaker and shallower, lower level winds will steer it more to the west.  On its anticipated track, Grace could approach the Lesser Antilles in five or six days.