Updated

Tropical Storm Fay, active in the Atlantic since September 19, reached near-hurricane strength with 70 mph sustained winds and a 995 mb central pressure by 3:00 a.m. GMT Monday, September 21, while located about 385 miles southwest of the Azores. The National Hurricane Center's advisory noted increasing northwesterly wind shear affecting the storm's structure and forecasts weakening later Monday as Fay drifts east-southeast at about 5 mph. GDACS's cyclone notification estimates no population exposure to category-1 winds from Fay, consistent with its position far from populated landmasses. No casualties or damage have been reported.