 Forecasters initially predicted wind shear from an upper level low would prevent strengthening and cause dissipation within three days . However , the depression continued to organize as deep convection continued to develop near the circulation despite moderate amounts of wind shear , and the system intensified into Tropical Storm Chris six hours after developing . The convection gradually consolidated over the system , and by late on the 1st Chris reached winds of 60 mph ( 95 km / h ) while passing 50 miles ( 80 km ) north of the northern Leeward Islands . The structure of Chris continued to improve and become more symmetrical , and an upper level eye feature developed early on August 2 . Outflow improved in all quadrants , as well , and the storm reached a peak intensity of 65 mph ( 100 km / h ) shortly thereafter while located 120 miles ( 195 km ) east of St. Thomas . Despite initial predictions of Chris intensifying to a hurricane as a ridge of high pressure forced it west @-@ northwestward , upper level shear dissipated the well @-@ defined inner core of the storm , and Chris started to weaken . 
