Preliminary Report
Tropical Storm Gustav
26 August - 02 September 1996

1996 PRELIMINARY REPORTS

Tropical Storm Arthur (TS)
Hurricane Bertha (3)
Hurricane Cesar (1)
Hurricane Dolly (1)
Hurricane Edouard (4)
Hurricane Fran (3)
Tropical Storm Gustav (TS)
Hurricane Hortense (4)
Hurricane Isidore (3)
Tropical Storm Josephine (TS)
Tropical Storm Kyle (TS)
Hurricane Lili (3)
Hurricane Marco (1)

a. Synoptic History

The origin of Gustav is tracked back to an area of disturbed weather that moved from Africa to the Atlantic Ocean on 24 August accompanied by a low-level cloud circulation. This was the third of three closely-spaced tropical cyclones which included Hurricanes Edouard and Fran. The disturbed weather gradually became better organized and a tropical depression formed from this weather on the 26th just south of the Cape Verde Islands.

The depression moved west-southwestward at about 14 mph for two days, under the steering of a ridge of high pressure to its north. The motion turned toward the northwest on the 28th in response to a mid Atlantic trough. The trough became a cut-off low which continued to steer the storm northwestward for about five days, after which dissipation occurred. The maximum intensity of Gustav is estimated at 46 mph on the 29th. A limiting factor in the storm's development was originally the outflow from Hurricane Fran which interfered with the organization of convection during the 26th and 27th. Then the cut-off low mentioned above produced a shearing environment which eventually led to Gustav's dissipation on the 2nd of September.

b. Meteorological Statistics

There were no ship reports of tropical storm force winds in association with Gustav.

c. Casualty and Damage Statistics

Gustav remained in the central tropical Atlantic Ocean during its existence and did not affect land.