Hurricane Watches Issued as Tropical Storm Aims for Puerto Rico
Tropical Storm Gonzalo formed in the Atlantic Ocean today just east of the Caribbean. The storm is expected to gain strength over the next couple of days as it moves towards Puerto Rico, and Gonzalo could turn into a hurricane before impacting the territory early this week.
Gonzalo is relatively small but feisty, packing winds of 45 MPH as it moves into an environment conducive to slow but steady strengthening. The storm could reach hurricane status by the time it reaches Puerto Rico and the surrounding islands on Tuesday. After lashing this half of the Greater Antilles, the current National Hurricane Center forecast shows Gonzalo curving out to sea and away from the United States.
The NHC has a huge list of islands under watches and warnings:
A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR...
- PUERTO RICO...VIEQUES...CULEBRA...AND THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
- BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
- GUADELOUPE
- DESIRADE
- LES SAINTES
- MARIE GALANTE
- ST. MARTIN
- ST. BARTHELEMY
- ST. MAARTIN
- SABA
- ST. EUSTATIUS
- BARBUDA
- ANTIGUA
- ANGUILLA
- ST. KITTS
- NEVIS
- MONTSERRAT
- PUERTO RICO
- VIEQUES
- CULEBRA
- U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
- BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
A hurricane watch means that hurricane-force winds (74+ MPH) are possible within 48 hours, and a tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions (39-73 MPH winds) are likely within the next 24 to 36 hours. Any residents in the watches or warnings, including Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and the U.S.V.I., should prepare now in anticipation of Gonzalo's arrival. Tourists on the islands affected by the storm should listen to local authorities and evacuate if told to do so.
The formation of Tropical Storm Gonzalo means that 25% of this year's storms have formed in the past week, with newly-christened Hurricane Fay moving away from Bermuda after lashing the island nation with strong winds and rain on Saturday night. Gonzalo is the eighth system and seventh named storm of the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
The National Hurricane Center will release position updates and forecasts every three hours (2, 5, 8, and 11 AM/PM) while the storm remains close to land.
[Images: author, NASA]
