Trace amounts of rain reportedly fell across the Cape Verde islands, causing locally light flooding and minor inconveniences.

The origins of Julia trace back to a vigorous tropical wave, or an equatorward low-pressure area, which emerged into the Atlantic along the western coast of Africa on September 11.

[3] As the wave moved generally westward at 10 to 15 mph (16 to 24 km/h), a quick increase in organization as well as a significant drop in surface pressure became notable.

[2][7] For several hours, no significant change occurred in its intensity or organization as Julia passed near Cape Verde, though the storm gradually retraced to the west-northwest along the southern periphery of a deep-layer ridge.

Slow intensification resumed as the storm bypassed the Cape Verde islands; by early September 14, it displayed a ragged, banded eye-like feature in satellite imagery.

[2] Due to locally high sea surface temperatures of about 28 °C (82 °F), a period of rapid intensification subsequently commenced; within hours, Julia attained Category 1 hurricane status.

Concurrently, Igor's outflow began impinging on Julia's circulation, and due to colder sea surface temperatures, the storm weakened below hurricane intensity late on September 17.

Following this erratic track, the remnants of Hurricane Julia proceeded northwestward and came within 350 mi (560 km) of Bermuda, where they were once again briefly monitored by the NHC.

However, chance of redevelopment dwindled, as conditions were not conducive for tropical formation;[13] convection nearly diminished entirely, and the NHC discontinued monitoring the system on September 28.

In response, the Government of Cape Verde issued a tropical storm warning for the southern portion of the archipelago, which included Maio, Sao Tiago, Fogo, and Brava.