Tropical Storm Lee (2005)

Tropical Storm Lee was a weak storm in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season that briefly reached tropical storm strength late in August over the central Atlantic. It was the twelfth named storm of the season and spent much of its lifespan as a tropical depression or as a remnant low.

Tropical Storm Lee initially formed east of the Lesser Antilles as a tropical depression on August 28, before degenerating into a remnant low the next day. The low moved north and briefly achieved tropical storm status on August 31, as it moved around a non-tropical system, the presence of which complicated forecasts. Tropical Storm Lee degenerated back into a remnant low on September 2 and was then absorbed by a cold front. During its brief existence Tropical Storm Lee never threatened any land.

Meteorological history
A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on August 24. It developed into an area of low pressure as it crossed the Atlantic, and organized into Tropical Depression Thirteen on August 28 while 960 mi (1550 km) east of the Lesser Antilles. Because of northeasterly shear, the center of the circulation was removed from the convection, and the depression degenerated into a remnant low late on August 29. Many of the models had indicated that this was likely, but the National Hurricane Center (NHC) instead chose to forecast slight strengthening.

The remnant low moved northwards, then turned to the northeast due to the effects of a non-tropical system. As it moved to the northeast, the activity in the remnant low increased again and the depression regenerated on August 31. That afternoon, the depression strengthened further into Tropical Storm Lee, reaching its peak intensity with winds of 40 mph (65 km/h), in between Bermuda and the Azores. As quoted by NHC forecaster Dr. Lixion Avila, "There is an uncertainty in the intensity of the tropical cyclone at this time". This uncertainty was shown by the NHC operationally downgrading the storm to a depression after just six hours, when in post-season analysis it was found to have lasted twice as long. Lee weakened again into a tropical depression as it continued to move around the non-tropical low to its west. The presence of this low made Lee difficult to forecast, and as the two systems began to merge on September 1, it resulted in uncertainty relating to what degree the system remained tropical. Later that day, shear again removed the convection of the depression, and Lee became a remnant low which survived until September 4 when it was absorbed by a cold front.

Impact, naming, and records
Tropical Storm Lee did not affect any land areas and there were no reports of damage or fatalities. Because Lee stayed well out to sea, no warnings or watches were issued.