TROPICAL Storm Gonzalo is expected to make landfall in several territories of the Windward Islands as well as Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.
And although the storm is not likely to have a heavy impact on Guyana, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has issued several advisories to the general public during and before high wind conditions.

According to the National Weather Watch Centre at Timehri, on Saturday the country will experience light to moderate showers while on Sunday thundershowers are forecasted with rainfall measuring 30 millimeters. Similar conditions are expected on Monday.

As regards the storm, the local weather facility did not provide any information and according to a National Communications Network (NCN) report, the storm is not expected to heavily impact Guyana. However, the CDC issued precautionary measures for persons to observe prior to or during heavy winds.

These include the strengthening of roofing, packing of wood or plastic materials not intended for use around the house as well as the securing of livestock.

According to the National Hurricane Centre in Maimi, last evening at 20:00hrs, the centre of Tropical Storm Gonzalo was located over the Atlantic Ocean about 340 miles (550 km) east of the southern Windward Islands. “It’s moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 km/h). A general westward to west-northwestward motion is expected for the next couple of days. On the forecast track, Gonzalo will move across the southern Windward Islands Saturday afternoon or evening and over the eastern Caribbean Sea on Sunday,” the centre said.

Maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the centre. Some slight strengthening is expected before Gonzalo reaches the southern Windward Islands. “Weakening is expected after Gonzalo moves over the eastern Caribbean Sea and the system is forecast to dissipate early next week,” the centre said.
Gonzalo is expected to produce total rain accumulations of two to five inches, with isolated maximum amounts of eight inches in Barbados and the Windward Islands through Sunday night.

The centre said that Gonzalo is also expected to produce total rain accumulations of two to four inches in Trinidad and Tobago as well as one to two inches over northeastern Venezuela. Rainfall in Barbados and the Windward Islands could lead to life-threatening flash floods, the facility noted.