A tropical storm warning has been issued for Saint Lucia, with effect from 5 a.m. today.

Tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within 36 hours.

At 5 a.m. today, the center of Tropical Storm Gonzalo was located near latitude 10.0 degrees north, longitude 51.8 degrees west or about 670 miles or 1000 kilometers east southeast of Saint Lucia. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph or 95 km/h.  Some strengthening is forecast during the next day or two, and there is still a chance that Gonzalo could become a hurricane before reaching the Windward Islands.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo is moving towards the west at 14 mph or 22 km/h. A westward to west-northwestward motion with an increase in forward speed is expected through the weekend. On this track the center of Gonzalo is expected to pass near Saint Lucia on Saturday.

Tropical Storm warning is in effect for Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados. Hurricane watch is in effect for Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Tropical storm watch is in effect for Tobago and Grenada and its dependencies.

Swells generated by Tropical Storm Gonzalo will begin affecting portions of the Lesser Antilles by later tonight. Small craft operators around Saint Lucia are asked to exercise caution when venturing far from port.

The Saint Lucia Meteorological Services will continue to closely monitor the progress of this storm and another statement will be issued at 8 a.m.