On September 9, ships observed signs of a potentially developing tropical disturbance in the central Atlantic Ocean. The first reports of such convective activity in the area were relayed by the S.S. West Selene at 00:00 UTC that day. Based on this report, tropical cyclogenesis was estimated to have completed by 06:00 UTC on September 8; a reanalysis of the storm conducted in 2012 did not find any justification to alter the date in HURDAT, and as such the initial date of formation remained unchanged. The tropical depression was quick to intensify, and was analyzed to have attained tropical storm strength by 18:00 UTC later that day. At the time, the system was tracking northwestward. The following day, ships continued to report rough seas generated by the storm approximately east of the Lesser Antilles. On September 10, westerly winds south of the storm's estimated position were reported, confirming the existence of a closed circulation center and justifying the system's classification as a fully-tropical cyclone. Gradual intensification continued, and at 00:00 UTC on September 12, it is estimated that the tropical storm intensified to hurricane intensity. At roughly the same time, the hurricane also began to track a more northerly course.
