Tropical Storm Sean moved west of the Cabo Verde Islands on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Sean was located at latitude 13.8°N and longitude 38.2°W which put it about 960 miles (1545 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Sean was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1006 mb.

Tropical Storm Sean did not change much on Thursday. An upper level trough over the central Atlantic Ocean was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Sean’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The wind shear was causing the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Sean to be asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northeastern quadrant of Sean’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Sean consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The distribution of wind speeds was also asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Sean. The winds in the other parts of Sean’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Sean will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Sean will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will continue to move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the central Atlantic Ocean. The upper level trough will continue to strong vertical wind shear. The wind shear is likely to inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Sean could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Sean will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends from West Africa to the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Sean toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Sean will move farther away from the Cabo Verde Islands.