 Initial predictions by the National Hurricane Center also forecast a motion to the northwest based on consistent model predictions, though, as quoted by forecaster James Franklin, "The models have also been excellently wrong thus far".Despite a decrease in convection shortly after forming, the large depression remained well organized, with a wind field 575 mi (930 km) in diameter.On August 22, as it passed 140 mi (225 km) to south of the Cape Verde islands, deep convection developed over the center of circulation, and early on August 23 the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Debby about 300 mi (485 km) southwest of Cape Verde.