I will ty to withhold judgment for more details . . . But the OPC surface analysis for yesterday does not indicate anything remotely like "large storms" in that part of the Atlantic. A low pressure wave/front probably went through, and no doubt winds on the backside of the front exceede 25 mph.

http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/Loops/?select1=Atlc&select2=watlsfc&select3=3&select4=normal&select6=Script

-- Karl
S/V Mabel Rose