What could soon become the first hurricane in the Atlantic for 2020, Tropical Storm Gonzalo continues to strengthen as it weaves its way through the Caribbean islands.
Gonzalo is currently located a few hundred miles east of the Windward Islands and is expected to hit them by Saturday afternoon.
The storm is then expected to continue moving toward the gulf of Mexico and strengthen over the warm and deep water of the Caribbean.
Once it hits the gulf, its path will diverge off onto one of several possible tracks – 3 of the possible tracks show direct impacts with the Carolinas.
Although there is a chance Gonzalo could hit the Carolinas, it’s highly unpredictable what path it will eventually take, especially considering its small size. According to The Weather Channel, “small storms like this can intensify quickly in the right conditions, but they can also succumb to unfavorable conditions more quickly than a larger storm. In other words, they can strengthen and weaken much more and at a faster rate than expected.”
Whether or not we feel any effects from Gonzalo, we are now officially in hurricane season for 2020, which runs from June 1st through November 30th.
NWS officials are reminding all residents in Atlantic Coast states to prepare.
In case of a power outage, make sure to have the following emergency items stocked in your home;
- Car charger for cell phones and other devices
- Clean drinking water (recommended 1 gallon per person per day, minimum three days)
- Flashlights
- Batteries: Extra batteries for all of your devices
- Weather radio/clock
- Non-perishable food
- First aid kit
We will continue to update this article as this storm develops.