a tropical wave exited the west coast of africa on august 6 developed into tropical depression seven on august 8 while located about west-southwest of the cape verde islands. the depression moved west-northwestward due to a subtropical ridge and deepened into tropical storm felix later that day. further intensification was slower, with felix reaching hurricane status on august 11. due to warm sea surface temperatures and light wind shear, felix began to rapidly strengthen as it was curving northwestward. late on august 12, felix peaked with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of . felix weakened over the next few days back to a category 1 hurricane on august 14, after an eyewall replacement cycle and an increase in wind shear.