A tropical storm warning and hurricane watch have
been issued for the British Virgin Islands by the Antigua and Barbuda
Meteorological Services.
A
hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch
area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first
occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside
preparations difficult or dangerous.
A
tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected
somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 24 to 36 hours.
The combination of a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch means that forecasters expect tropical storm force conditions to affect the islands. However, because of development of the system, it could become a hurricane before it gets to our area and therefore, a hurricane watch is issued as a precautionary measure to ensure that persons are preparing for possible impact at the hurricane force level.
At 5:00 p.m. today, Tropical Storm Gonzalo was located at 16.4 degree north, 58.7 degrees West or 160 miles East-Southeast of Antigua and Barbuda. Maximum sustained winds 45 miles per hour with higher gusts. Movement is to the west at 12 miles per hour. Tropical Storm force winds extend out to 60 miles. Minimum central pressure is 1004 MB.
Tropical Storm Gonzalo will move through the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Monday, bringing with it periods of moderate to heavy rainfall and tropical storm force winds. Gonzalo is expected to become a hurricane by Tuesday.
