 A poorly organized tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on September 22 . Over the next three days , the system tracked westward and slowly began to develop a closed circulation . By September 25 , the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories . Convection became further organized , and the depression continued to intensity . Twelve hours after becoming a cyclone , the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Joyce early on September 26 . Joyce continued to strengthen and became a hurricane by September 27 . On the following day , a pinhole eye appeared , and shortly thereafter , Joyce peaked as a strong Category 1 hurricane with winds of 90 mph ( 150 km / h ) on September 28 . 
