Date: Thursday 23rd July 2020      Issuance Time: 5:30 p.m. 

 

 

Tobago has been placed under a Tropical Storm Watch effective 4:30 p.m. today, Thursday 23rd July, 2020. This means that Tropical Storm conditions (sustained winds of at least 63 km/h) are possible over Tobago in 48 hours. 

 

While Gonzalo has maintained Tropical Storm intensity, there remains much uncertainty with respect to any intensification to Hurricane status before reaching the Windwards.   

 

At 5:00 p.m. today, Tropical Storm Gonzalo was located near latitude 9.7 N, longitude 48.8 W or about 1305 km east of the Southern Windwards. Gonzalo continues to move westward near 20 km/h but a west-north-westward motion is expected through the weekend. On the current forecast track, the centre of Gonzalo will approach the southern Windwards Friday night and move across the Windward islands on Saturday.  

 

Gonzalo is a very small Tropical Storm with tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to only 35km from the centre. Latest analyses suggest that Trinidad will not be directly impacted by Gonzalo, however heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected as the system passes north of the island. 

 

The TTMS is closely monitoring this system and the next update to this statement will be Tropical Storm Watch #2 at midnight tonight or earlier if the situation warrants. As always, pay close attention to information being issued by the TTMS by visiting www.metoffice.gov.tt, downloading our app (search TT Met Office) and following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

 

To view the entire TT MET Service Official Statement please click here. 

 

 

 

……………………………………… Saide Shakeer Meteorologist III Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service