Original: The convection gradually consolidated over the system, and by late on the 1st Chris reached winds of 60 mph (95 km\/h) while passing 50 miles (80 km) north of the northern Leeward Islands.
Simplified: The convection slowly covered the entire system, and by late on the 1st Chris reached winds of 60 mph (95 km\/h) while passing 50 miles (80 km) north of the northern Leeward Islands.