 Though upper-level atmospheric conditions were rather conducive for continued strengthening, factors including decreasing convergence and marginally sustainable sea surface temperatures were expected to inhibit tropical development, and as such initial forecasts only anticipated minimal and gradual strengthening.At 0600 UTC on October 26, Météo-France upgraded the system to tropical depression status.Forecasts upon the system's upgrade to tropical depression intensity expected more significant intensification, with the depression expected to peak as a moderate tropical storm.