Tropical Depression Fifteen (2019)

Storm Active: October 14-16

On October 13, a large tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic, exiting western Africa. Ordinarily, tropical waves do not organize so far east by mid-October, but unusually warm waters and low wind shear allowed the disturbance to consolidate. During the afternoon of October 14, the wave developed into Tropical Depression Fifteen. The formation took place southeast of the Cabo Verde islands, making the depression one of the easternmost forming tropical cyclone ever observed so late in the year. It tracked northwest over the following day but changed little in organization. Having a very broad circulation, Fifteen struggled to develop deep convection. However, this did not prevent the cyclone from bringing locally heavy rains and gusty winds to the Cabo Verde islands on the 15th. The system's circulation became elongated soon after as atmospheric conditions began to deteriorate. Fifteen dissipated during the morning of October 16.

The above image shows Tropical Depression Fifteen near the coastline of West Africa.

Though very short-lived, Fifteen was notable for forming so close to Africa exceptionally late in the calendar year.