 On September 26 , a tropical wave exited Africa and quickly developed a low pressure area . Following a convective increase and better @-@ defined outflow , it developed into Tropical Depression Fourteen about 115 miles ( 185 km ) west @-@ southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands early on September 28 . Because the depression was isolated from the subtropical ridge , the depression drifted west @-@ northwestward . Westerly wind shear prevented significant development , but following an increase in convection , the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Melissa early on September 29 . Similar to previous storms Ingrid and Karen , high wind shear in the deep tropics hindered Melissa 's development , and its peak winds were only 40 mph ( 65 km / h ) ; operationally , satellite imagery suggested the storm reached 45 mph ( 72 km / h ) . By September 30 , the shear and cooler waters weakened Melissa to a tropical depression with a poorly defined surface center . The system lost its deep convection and by that afternoon , Melissa degenerated into a remnant low . It continued west @-@ northwestward , producing intermittent convection , until being absorbed by a front northeast of the Lesser Antilles on October 5 . There were no reports of damage or casualties . 
