Tropical Storm Gonzalo to become the first hurricane of the season

Tropical Storm Gonzalo, which formed Wednesday, is expected to become the first hurricane of the season on Thursday.

Meantime, a tropical depression has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm by Friday, the National Hurricane Center said.

A hurricane watch has been issued for Barbados, as Gonzalo is expected to strengthen into a hurricane today and peak at a Category 1.

A watch is typically issued 48 hours before tropical storm force winds are anticipated to reach the location, according to the National Hurricane Center.

At 5 a.m. Thursday, Gonzalo had sustained winds of 65 mph and was about 970 miles east of the Southern Windward Islands.