At 17/18Z, Invest 98L was located in the central Atlantic near 25.5N 53.1W with sustained winds of 35knots, a central pressure of 1002MB and movement to the north northwest at 5 knots. With its upper-level origins, windshear is not as much of a factor. SST at the current location of the system is 28C, however, with expected movement to the north and eventually north northeast, the system will encounter cooler SSTs although hybrid systems are not as significantly impacted by lower SSTs until about 25C. Additional development seems likely and so does eventual direct upgrade to 'Melissa' - probably as a subtropical storm. Many of the model outputs suggest robust intensification by midweek.
ED

(Title updated to reflect current storm status.)