Former Tropical Depression Three strengthened to Tropical Storm Bret east of the Lesser Antilles on Monday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Bret was located at latitude 11.3°N and longitude 42.2°W which put it about 1295 miles (2085 km) east of the Lesser Antilles. Tropical Storm Bret was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 1008 mb.

Satellite images provided evidence that the circulation around former Tropical Depression Three strengthened on Monday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Bret. The inner end of a rainband wrapped part of the way around the center of Tropical Storm Bret. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center of Bret’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Bret. The winds on the western side of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Bret will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Bret will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Bret will intensify during the next 36 hours. Bret could strengthen to a hurricane later this week.

Tropical Storm Bret will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The subtropical high will steer Bret toward the west during the next 36 hours. Bret could move more toward the west-northwest later this week. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Bret could approach the Lesser Antilles on Thursday. Bret could be a hurricane by that time. Planes are scheduled to start to fly reconnaissance missions into Tropical Storm Bret starting on Wednesday afternoon.