There are now two named storms churning in the Atlantic.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo formed in the Atlantic Ocean around 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Tropical Storm Fay remains no threat to the east coast of the United States.

Tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued.


Tropical Storm Gonzalo Advisory

11 p.m. — Tropical Storm Gonzalo expected to strengthen as it moves through Leeward Islands Sunday night into Monday morning.

Watches and Warnings

A hurricane watch is in effect for the following areas:
*Puerto Rico
*Vieques
*Culebra
*US Virgin Islands
*British Virgin Islands

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the following areas:
*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
*U.S. Virgin Islands
*British Virgin Islands

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somehwere within the warning area, in this case within the next 24 to 36 hours.

A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch arewa, generally within 48 hours.

Discussion and 48-hour outlook

At 11 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Gonzalo was located near latitude 16.6 north, longitude 60.2 west. Gonzalo is moving toward the west near 12 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue through Monday followed by a turn toward the west-northwest Monday night. On the forecast track, Gonzalo is expected to move through the Leeward Islands by early Monday morning, approaching Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph, with higher gusts. The storm is expect to strengthen and reach hurricane status by early Tuesday morning.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb, or 29.59 inches.

Hazards affecting land

Wind: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the coast within the warning area by Monday morning, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area by Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Rainfall: Tropical Storm Gonzalo is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches across the Leeward Islands, British and U.S. Virgin Islands and eastern Puerto Rico, with isolated maximum totals of 12 inches possible.

Surf: Swells generated by Gonzalo will affect the Leeward Islands tonight and Monday morning from Dominica northward and affect the U.S. and British Virgin Islands by Monday afternoon. These swells are liekly to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Tropical Storm Conditions are expected to reach the Leeward Islands by Monday morning.

Next advisory

Complete advisory: 5 a.m.