A core region of convection developed in the center of a large low pressure system associated with the northern portion of a tropical wave and the system was classified as Tropical Storm Edouard.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT the center of Edouard was located at latitude 17.3°N and longitude 39.4°W which put it about 1020 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands and about 2700 miles east-southeast of Miami, Florida.  Edouard was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. and the minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

Edouard is likely to move in a general west-northwest to northwest track during the next several days before taking a more northward turn early next week.  This track would keep Edouard out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean during the next five days where it will pose no immediate threat to any land areas.

The Sea Surface Temperatures in the subtropical Atlantic Ocean are several degrees above normal and Edouard should be able to extract plenty of energy from the ocean.  As long as the upper level winds are not too strong Edouard should be able to intensify and it is likely to become a hurricane.