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==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Fran 1984 track.png}}
A well-defined tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic Ocean from the west coast of Africa on September 14. The system rapidly organized, and at 1200 UTC on September 15, it developed into a tropical depression while located to the southeast of the Cape Verde.<ref name="nhc report"/><ref name="nhc report2">{{cite report|title=Tropical Storm Fran Preliminary Report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1984-prelim/fran/prelim02.gif|date=1984|author=Gilbert B. Clark|publisher=National Hurricane Center|page=2|access-date=March 14, 2012|format=GIF}}</ref> Early on September 16, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Fran, based on intensity estimates via the [[Dvorak technique]]. By then, the storm had begun a track to the northwest; Fran then passed near the southernmost islands of Cape Verde. Late on September 17, Fran attained peak intensity with [[maximum sustained wind]]s of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum [[barometric pressure]] of {{convert|994|mbar|inHg|abbr=on|lk=on|sigfig=4}}. It maintained this intensity for about 24 hours,<ref name="nhc report2"/> during which time Fran turned to the west and later to the west-southwest due to [[High-pressure area|high-pressure area]] located over the northeastern Atlantic
Operationally, the [[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC) did not upgrade the cyclone to Tropical Storm Fran until September 18, after receiving confirmation from satellite imagery and sparse ship reports.<ref name="1130 AM EDT TUE SEP 18 1984">{{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=TCDATF&e=198409181600|author=Robert C. Sheets|title=Tropical Cyclone Discussion Tropical Storm Fran|date=September 18, 1984|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=July 16, 2024}}</ref> The NHC predicted late on September 18 that Fran would slowly strengthen.<ref name="1130 AM EDT TUE SEP 18 1984"/> However, a strong upper-level trough and likely a cutoff low-pressure area instead generated strong [[wind shear]] over Fran on September 19.<ref name="1130 AM EDT THU SEP 20 1984">{{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=TCDATF&e=198409201600|author=Robert C. Sheets|title=Tropical Cyclone Discussion Tropical Depression Fran|date=September 20, 1984|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=July 16, 2024}}</ref> Consequently, the cyclone weakened as deep convection became detached center of the storm, with Fran falling to tropical depression status at 0600 UTC on September 20.<ref name="nhc report"/> The NHC operationally downgraded the storm 10 hours later and predicted that Fran would likely dissipate by the next day.<ref name="1130 AM EDT THU SEP 20 1984"/> Around 18:00 UTC on September 20, the storm dissipated while located about {{convert|1250|mi|km}} east-northeast of [[Antigua]],<ref name="nhc report2"/> with the remnants becoming unidentifiable on September 21.<ref name="nhc report">{{cite report|title=Tropical Storm Fran Preliminary Report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1984-prelim/fran/prelim01.gif|date=1984|author=Gilbert B. Clark|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|page=1|access-date=March 11, 2012|format=GIF}}</ref>
==Impacts==
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