Lee (2005)

A tropical depression formed from a vigorous tropical wave about midway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles at 1200 UTC on 28 August 2005. Wind shear disrupted the system and it degenerated to a broad low on 29 August, then moved northward. Convection redeveloped and the depression regenerated at 0600 UTC on 31 August and became Tropical Storm Lee at 1200 UTC that day between Bermuda and the Azores. Lee moved generally northeastward and northwestward around a larger non‑tropical low, weakened back to a depression by 0000–0600 UTC on 2 September, and its remnants were absorbed by a cold front on 4 September.

Lee did not make any landfalls. It remained over the open Atlantic throughout its life and dissipated without approaching a landmass closely enough to be classified as a landfalling cyclone.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds reached 40 mph (35 kt) with a minimum central pressure of 1006 mb; at peak intensity Lee was a minimal tropical storm. Peak values occurred around 1200 UTC 31 August when satellite and microwave data showed a ring of deep convection around the center.

Reported storm surge and rainfall impacts are nil in the record. There are no specific surge heights or rainfall totals listed for cities or counties because Lee stayed over the open ocean and produced no reported coastal flooding or significant rainfall on land.

There were no confirmed deaths or damage associated with Lee. Forecasting Lee was challenging because of its interaction with a nearby non‑tropical low, which led to unusually large track forecast errors compared with 1995–2004 averages, though intensity forecast errors were relatively small.