Tropical Storm Philippe meandered over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Leeward Islands on Friday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Philippe was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 55.8°W which put it about 480 miles (775 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Philippe was moving toward the southwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Rina moved around formed the northeastern periphery of Tropical Storm Philippe on Friday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Rina was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 48.8°W which put it about 945 miles (1520 km) east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands. Rina was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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.

The circulations around Tropical Storm Philippe and Tropical Storm Rina continued to interact on Friday. Philippe and Rina revolved around a point between the centers of the two tropical storms in a motion called the Fujiwhara effect. An upper level trough over the Atlantic Ocean east of Bermuda produced westerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Philippe’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear caused 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 140 miles (220 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.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Philippe was also affecting Tropical Storm Rina. Upper level divergence from Philippe was adding to the westerly winds blowing toward the top of Rina’ circulation. Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear in Tropical Storm Rina. The wind shear also caused the distribution of thunderstorms in Rina to be asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Rina were in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Rina’s circulation. Bands in the northern and western parts of Rina consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the eastern part of Rina’s circulation. Winds in the western side of Rina 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 29°C. However, the upper level trough east of Bermuda will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear is likely to keep Tropical Storm Philippe from intensifying on Saturday.

The interaction between Tropical Storm Philippe and Tropical Storm Rina will continue on Saturday. Philippe and Rina will continue their counterclockwise loop around a point in between the two tropical storms. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Philippe will move slowly toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. Tropical Storm Rina is forecast to move toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.