Chantal dropped light to moderate rainfall across its path, most significantly in Quintana Roo in Mexico where it caused widespread mudslides.

Associated deep convection quickly decreased after tracking westward through the tropical Atlantic Ocean, although by August 13 a broad low pressure area and closed circulation developed along the wave.

[1] Environmental conditions favored tropical development, and the system gradually became better organized,[2] although convection was initially limited near the center.

[3] On August 14, convection increased northwest of the center and became sufficiently well-organized for the system to be considered a tropical depression; at the time, it was located about 1500 miles (2400 km) east of the southern Windward Islands.

With easterly wind shear, the structure was initially disorganized,[1] although the system was forecast to attain tropical storm status within 48 hours of developing, due to anticipated favorable conditions.

[5] Banding features increased while the satellite presentation continued to improve,[1] and at 1200 UTC on August 16 the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Chantal about 370 miles (595 km) east of Barbados.

[7] Despite lacking a closed circulation, the overall structure remained well-organized, and with a favorable upper-level environment the possibility of regeneration into a tropical cyclone was noted.

Chantal became much better organized, again reaching peak winds of 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) before making landfall early on August 21 near the border of Mexico and Belize.

[1] Initially, the storm was forecast to cross the Yucatán Peninsula and Bay of Campeche and make a second landfall in the state of Veracruz.

[12] Convection decreased markedly late on August 21,[13] and early the next day Chantal weakened to tropical depression status.

[1] The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm watch for Barbados, St. Vincent, and Saint Lucia on August 15.

When the lack of significant intensification became apparent, a tropical storm warning was added for much of the Yucatán Peninsula and later for a portion of the Mexican coast along the Bay of Campeche.

[20] While tracking across the eastern Caribbean Sea, the outer rainbands of Chantal produced light to moderate rainfall across Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.

[1] Tropical Storm Chantal also produced gusty winds in the Yucatán Peninsula, peaking at 62 miles per hour (100 km/h) in Chetumal, Quintana Roo.