 Upon its designation the depression was still relatively weak and disorganized and , due to a number of factors , further strengthening was expected to be gradual . Outflow over the cyclone improved throughout the day on September 19 , however , as it drifted northward . At 0000 UTC on September 20 the depression was upgraded to the eighth named storm of the season , Tropical Storm Harvey , based on surface observations and reports from the Hurricane Hunters . Shortly thereafter the storm became nearly stationary while slowly beginning to turn eastward . Harvey remained disorganized due to persistent wind shear . Despite the strong wind shear , the cyclone managed to reach its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph ( 95 km / h ) and a minimum barometric pressure of 994 mbar ( hPa ; 29 @.@ 35 inHg ) late on September 20 . 
