On July 14, a tropical wave emerged off of Africa and moved westward. By July 17, the wave became associated with a broad upper-level low. However, very little storm activity accompanied the system at that time, as it moved westnorthwestward. On July 18, cloud cover increased in the system, but the circulation remained in the upper levels, prohibiting development. Over the next few days, the surface pressure began to drop and heavy rain from the system caused widespread flooding in Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. On July 22, a surface circulation appeared, and the system was upgraded to Tropical Depression Three, with 35 mph sustained winds and a pressure of 1008 mb just north of eastern Cuba. However, shower activity was primarily displaced to the north and east of the center due to wind shear.
Despite wind shear, a small intensification of the system during the evening of July 22 allowed the system to develop into Tropical Storm Bonnie, with 40 mph sustained winds. Due to an upper level ridge to the system's north, Bonnie accelerated to the westnorthwest during the morning of July 23, reaching a forward speed of 19 mph by 8:00 am EDT that morning. Soon after, the system slammed into Florida with 40 mph winds. Bonnie lost most of its convection before entering the Gulf, and was downgraded to a tropical depression. Despite a redevelopment of convection overnight, the surface pressures continued to rise and the system's center was stripped away by shear, leaving a exposed circulation. Bonnie continued struggling northwestward through the Gulf of Mexico during the morning of July 24, but it ultimately degenerated to a remnant low later that day. The low made landfall in Louisiana on July 25 as it dissipated. Damage was minimal, and one death was recorded in association with this system.
Bonnie after landfall in Florida.
Track of Bonnie.
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