a tropical wave emerged into the atlantic ocean from the west coast of africa on august 16. it rapidly developed a closed circulation, though convection diminished a few days after the wave entered the atlantic. however, convection began to re-develop and by 12:00 utc on august 22, the system developed into tropical depression ten. six hours later, the depression strengthened into tropical storm iris. thereafter, iris continued to intensify and became a hurricane later on august 23. after reaching winds of 85 mph (140 km/h), the storm began to weaken during a fujiwhara interaction with hurricane humberto, causing iris to be downgraded to a tropical storm on august 24. iris continued to steadily weaken as it approached the lesser antilles. after making a direct hit on saint lucia and martinique on august 26, steering currents produced by a trough forced iris north-northwestward; this caused it to brush dominica and guadeloupe and make landfall in antigua and barbuda on august 27. around the time, iris began restrengthening due to a decrease in wind shear and became a hurricane again on august 28.