 On September 16 , a tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa . Minimal tropical cyclogenesis occurred until the wave reached the western Caribbean Sea on September 27 . Around that time , the wave encountered an upper @-@ level trough , generating deep convection over the region . On September 28 , a broad area of low pressure formed southeast of Jamaica . Based on surface observations , it is estimated that Tropical Storm Karen developed near the northeastern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula early on October 3 . Despite a deteriorating cloud pattern , Karen deepened and peaked with winds of 65 mph ( 100 km / h ) later that day . Wind shear and dry air caused the storm to weaken beginning early on October 4 . Throughout the day , only sporadic bursts of deep convection occurred . The storm moved northwestward at inconsistent forward speeds around a low- to mid @-@ level ridge . Early on October 6 , Karen weakened to a tropical depression , and several hours later disintegrated into an open trough off the coast of Louisiana , and was further absorbed into a much larger storm complex that was producing blizzard conditions and a tornado outbreak at the time . 
