A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic Ocean from the west coast of Africa on October 8. The system tracked westward and did not develop further until it was midway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles on October 15. Dvorak satellite classifications began at 1200 UTC on October 17, and six hours later, the system developed into Tropical Depression Fourteen while located about east of the Windward Islands. Initially, the depression had well-defined upper-level outflow, though the low-level circulation was poorly defined. The depression continued to organize, with satellite imagery indicating banding features becoming more well-defined, as a result of an upper-level anticyclone and a westerly jet. It is estimated that the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Jose at 0600 UTC on October 18.