Tropical Storm Fay strengthened on Sunday afternoon as it moved over the North Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Azores.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located at latitude 34.4°N and longitude 32.7°W which put the center about 405 miles (650 km) southwest of the Azores.  Fay was moving toward the north-northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

Tropical Storm Fay strengthened on Sunday afternoon.  Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Fay’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Fay.  Storms near the center of Fay generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Fay was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Fay’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Fay will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Fay will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move north of a subtropical jet stream.  Fay will stay south of the polar front jet stream.  The upper level winds are weaker between the two jet streams. There will be some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Fay could continue to intensify during the next 12 hours.  Fay could strengthen to a hurricane.  The upper level winds are forecast to be stronger on Monday, which will cause Fay to start to weaken.

The steering currents are weak between the subtropical jet stream and the polar front jet stream.  Tropical Storm Fay is likely to meander during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fay will remain far to the southwest of the Azores.