 A mid-latitude trough caused the steering ridge to weaken, and subsequently, Fay to turn to the south.Over the next two days, the environmental shear around the cyclone decreased, which would normally have led to intensification; however, as the shear decreased, the cyclone also moved over an area of dry air, weakening the system.By 23 March, Fay had moved in a loop, and the system weakened to a Category 2.