Tropical Storm Dolly formed over the Atlantic Ocean midway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles on Thursday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Dolly was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 38.7°W which put the center about 1555 miles (2505 km) east of the Lesser Antilles.  Dolly was moving toward the west at 24 m.p.h. (39 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.

A low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean midway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles strengthened on Thursday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Dolly.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Dolly was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Dolly’s circulation.  Bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Dolly consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Dolly generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Tropical Storm Dolly.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Dolly’s circulation.  The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Dolly were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Dolly will move through an environment that will be marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dolly will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the eastern side of a small upper level ridge.  The upper level ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Dolly’s circulation.  Since the winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere are blowing from the east, there will moderate to strong vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Dolly could intensify a little during the next 24 hours in spite of the moderate to strong vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear is expected to increase during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Dolly will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dolly quickly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Dolly will move toward the Leeward Islands.  Dolly could approach the Northern Leeward Islands by Saturday night.