Tropical Storm Cristobal formed over the Atlantic Ocean west of the Azores on Wednesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Cristobal was located at latitude 36.7°N and longitude 43.0°W which put the center about 880 miles (1420 km) west of the Azores. Cristobal was moving toward the east at 25 m.p.h. (41 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 1008 mb.
A low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean strengthened on Wednesday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Cristobal.
A distinct low level center of circulation was visible at the center of Tropical Storm Cristobal. However, the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southeastern part of Cristobal’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Cristobal consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.
The strongest winds were occurring in the bands of thunderstorms in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Cristobal. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Cristobal’s circulation. The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Cristobal were blowing at less than tropical storm force.
Tropical Storm Cristobal will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Cristobal will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C. It will move under the southern part of a trough that is west of the Azores. The trough will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Cristobal’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate to strong vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Cristobal is likely to weaken during the next 24 hours because of the cool water and vertical wind shear.
Tropical Storm Cristobal will move around the northern part of a high pressure system that is over the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Cristobal toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Cristobal will move closer to the western Azores.