Tropical Depression to become Tropical Storm Gonzalo

Tropical Depression Seven formed Tuesday afternoon in the Atlantic, 1 420 miles east of the southern Windward Islands, according to the National Hurricane Centre.

The storm currently has sustained winds of 35 mph. It is expected to strengthen and have winds greater than 39 mph in the next 24 hours, which will make it Tropical Storm Gonzalo.

The tropical depression is moving to the west-northwest at 8 mph. It is expected to continue this general movement for the next several days and approach the Windward Islands on Saturday.

As the storm affects the Lesser Antilles, the islands will be hit with heavy rains and strong winds, but the full impacts are still hard to pin down at this point.

While strengthening to a strong tropical storm is expected in the next few days, the long-term intensity projections are a low confidence forecast.