Barbados under Hurricane Watch for Gonzalo; Tropical Depression Eight forms in Gulf

Just before 9 a.m. Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center officially upgraded Tropical Depression Seven to Tropical Storm Gonzalo. Gonzalo becomes our 7th named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. It is the earliest 7th named storm on record, breaking the previous record held by Tropical Storm Gert which formed on July 24, 2005.

As of 11 p.m., Barbados has issued a Hurricane Watch for Gonzalo.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds in an area.

Gonzalo is a compact, yet well-organized, tropical storm located about 1,300 miles east-southeast of the Windward Islands. Small tropical storms like Gonzalo are difficult to forecast due to many fluctuations in intensity. Its small size makes it very susceptible to wind shear and dry air, and we’ll be monitoring both of these factors as Gonzalo approaches the Caribbean Sea by this weekend. Models are very split on intensity, from a major hurricane to dissipating completely.

Right now, the NHC 5-day track has Gonzalo becoming a hurricane as early as Thursday, before weakening to a tropical storm again before moving into the Caribbean. Regardless, Gonzalo is no immediate threat to the United States. It’s also worth noting that July climatology tells us these systems historically get torn apart by wind shear and dry air once entering the eastern Caribbean.

And Tropical Depression Eight has formed in the Gulf of Mexico off the Texas coast. We expect an increase in deep, tropical moisture over the next 24 to 48 hours, leading to more scattered rain and storms. This system will move across the Gulf over the next few days, with an eventual landfall along the Texas coast by this weekend. Right now, the NHC is giving this disturbance a 50/50 shot of tropical development as it approaches land. Hurricane Hunters are scheduled to investigate later Wednesday, if necessary.

Regardless of development, heavy rain, localized flooding, and gusty wind are threats for those along the western Gulf Coast.

Trust The Weather Authority to keep you updated all season long.