Tropical Storm Gonzalo expected to strengthen by Saturday

Some strengthening is forecast as Tropical Storm Gonzalo nears the Windward Islands.

According to the 5 a.m. update, during the next day or two, and there is still a chance that Gonzalo could become a hurricane before reaching the Windward Islands.

Weakening is expected after Gonzalo moves into the Caribbean Sea, and the cyclone is expected to dissipate by the middle of next week.

On the forecast track, the center of Gonzalo will approach the southern Windward Islands tonight and move across these islands Saturday and into the eastern Caribbean Sea Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts.

The government of St. Lucia has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for St. Lucia. The government of Barbados has issued a Tropical Storm warning for Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.