 A large tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic Ocean from the west coast of Africa on July 4 . The system moved rapidly westward under the influence of a subtropical ridge . Scatterometer passes indicating a closed circulation confirmed that Tropical Storm Chantal had developed by 12 : 00 UTC on July 7 , while located about 1 @,@ 250 mi ( 2 @,@ 010 km ) east @-@ southeast of Barbados . Chantal continued to move swiftly west @-@ northwestward and was one of the fastest moving tropical cyclones in the deep tropics during the satellite era . While approaching the Lesser Antilles , it became disorganized due to wind shear , but at 12 : 00 UTC on July 9 , Chantal peaked with sustained winds of 65 mph ( 100 km / h ) . Shortly thereafter , it crossed through the Lesser Antilles and continued weakening in the Caribbean Sea . By late on July 10 , Chantal diminished into a tropical wave while located south of Hispaniola . 
