Tropical Storm Fernand passed far to the south of Newfoundland on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Fernand was located at latitude 38.1°N and longitude 53.4°W which put the center about 595 miles (955 km) south of Cape Race, Newfoundland.  Fernand was moving toward the northeast 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 1007 mb.

Tropical Storm Fernand weakened on Tuesday as it passed far to the south of Newfoundland.  Fernand continued to move under the southeastern side of an upper level ridge over the North Atlantic.  The upper level ridge produced northerly winds that blew across the top of Fernand’s circulation.  Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear caused the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Fernand to remain asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern part of Fernand’s circulation.  Bands in the northern part of Tropical Storm Fernand consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Storm Fernand was asymmetrical.   Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the eastern side of Fernand’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Fernand were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Fernand will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification of a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.  Fernand will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C.  The upper level wind ridge over the North Atlantic will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The combination of cooler water and vertical wind shear will prevent Tropical Storm Fernand from intensifying during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Fernand will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fernand toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fernand will remain far to the southeast of Newfoundland on Wednesday.