Tropical Storm Philippe weakened a little on Tuesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Philippe was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 52.0°W which put it about 730 miles (1180 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands . Philippe was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Tropical Storm Philippe continued to be affected by strong vertical wind shear on Tuesday. An upper level trough over the central Atlantic Ocean was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Philippe’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The wind shear was causing the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Philippe to be asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Philippe’s circulation. Bands near the center of Tropical Storm Philippe and in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The distribution of wind speeds was also asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) in the eastern side of Philippe’s circulation. The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Philippe were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Philippe will move through a region unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Philippe will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. However, the upper level trough over the central Atlantic will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear is likely to cause Tropical Storm Philippe to weaken a little more on Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Philippe will move around the southwestern side of a high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Philippe toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Philippe could be northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands by the end of the week.