A tropical wave emerged off of Africa on August 29, and immediately began to organize, developing a low pressure center rapidly. By the beginning of September, a defined center had formed, and the system became Tropical Depression Nine early on September 1. The depression quickly crossed the border to tropical storm strength and was named Tropical Storm Gaston.
However, some Saharan dry air was still embedded in the system, preventing deep convection in the center. Meanwhile, the cyclone was tracking only very slowly westward, due to the presence of a trough to its north. The dry air present in the system weakened Gaston to a tropical depression and then a remnant low by the afternoon of September 2. However, early on September 3, convection associated with the remnant increased, and organization continued to increase over the next few days. Despite this, the low lost its good circulation, and, although convection persisted, the chance of development was significantly decreased by September 7 as it passed through the Caribbean. On September 8, the low dissipated. Gaston affected no landmasses and therefore had no impact.
Note: It is believed that the remnants of Gaston may have briefly attained tropical depression status again on September 4, but post-season analysis will confirm this after the conclusion of 2010.
Gaston on September 4, possibly a tropical depression.
The track of Gaston, with appropriate changes made from post-storm analysis.
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