The low-pressure area headed toward the Virgin Islands early Sunday grew rapidly into Tropical Storm Gonzalo by a 1:30 p.m. update. The territory is now on a tropical storm watch, meaning tropical storm conditions are expected within 48 hours.
Meteorologist Carlos Anselmi at the National Weather Service in San Juan said Sunday afternoon that Gonzalo’s center is expected to pass over St. Croix around 3 a.m. Tuesday. St. Thomas and St. John will also get hit with winds and rain.
“It’s a small system but the bands are huge,” Anselmi said.
The tropical storm force winds extend outward 45 miles from the center.
He said it’s too early to say how much wind the territory will get but pointed out that tropical storm force winds cover a range of 39 to 73 mph.
The weather should start to go downhill Monday evening, he said.
The storm is expected to strengthen during the next two days.
The storm is expected to generate four to eight inches of rain in the Virgin Islands.
As of 1:30 p.m. Gonzalo was centered at 16.4 degrees north latitude and 58.4 degrees west longitude, putting it about 400 miles east of the Virgin Islands. The storm has winds of 40 mph with higher gusts, and is headed west at 10 mph.
The barometric pressure stands at 1009 millibars.
Anselmi said the storm grew so quickly because it was in a good environment for development.
He said Hurricane Hunter aircraft investigating the storm Sunday found tropical storm conditions. He said that this forecast is based on the first set of date from the flight.
He urged resident to remain alert for any changes in the forecast.
Gonzalo threatens to arrive on the combined Virgin Islands/Puerto Rico Friendship Day and Columbus Day holiday. At least one activity is still on. Dean Doeling, who organizes Just Play Day at Winston Wells Ball Field on St. John, said it will be held “rain or shine.” Should lightning threaten, he said the volunteers will move the youths in the adjacent Julius E. Sprauve School.