A small craft warning and a high surf warning have been issued as Barbados remains under a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch.
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 36 hours, Barbados Meteorological Services said in a media bulletin.
At 8 a.m. today, Tropical Storm Gonzalo was located near 10.0N 52.8W or about 470 miles (755 km) east south east of Barbados. Maximum sustained winds remain near 60 mph (95 km/h).
Storm-force winds extend outward only to 25 miles (35 km) from the centre. The system is moving westward or 275 degrees at 15 mph or (24 km/h). Minimum central pressure is 1 000 MB or 29.53 inches.
“Significant convection associated with Gonzalo has been consistent during the past few hours. Re-strengthening of this feature is still possible as it continues on its westward to west-northwestward motion with an increase in forward speed throughout the weekend. On its forecast track, the centre of Tropical Storm Gonzalo is expected to pass approximately 90 miles (144 km) to the south of Barbados on Saturday. There is still the possibility of Gonzalo becoming a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday considering the uncertainty in the intensity forecast due to its compact size,” the bulletin said.
An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the storm later this afternoon.
Sustained storm force winds are likely to spread across Barbados from Saturday morning, possibly increasing to hurricane force during the afternoon. Sustained wind speeds of 60 to 75 mph (97 to 120 km/h) with higher gusts are likely to affect the island. Tropical Storm Gonzalo is also likely to generate rough to very rough sea swells,
Rainfall accumulation of 1-3 inches (25 to 75 mm) is likely, an advisory for this hazard may become necessary.
The next complete advisory will be issued at 11 a.m. (PR)
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