| Tropical Storm Gonzalo (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
July 21 – July 25 |
| Peak intensity |
65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min) 997 mbar (hPa) |
Early on July 20, the NHC began monitoring a tropical wave over the central tropical Atlantic for possible tropical cyclone development.
[122] Though in an area of only somewhat conducive conditions,
[123] the wave rapidly became better organized as it moved quickly westward. By 21:00 UTC July 21, satellite imagery and scatterometer data indicated that the small low pressure system had acquired a well-defined circulation as well as sufficiently organized convection to be designated Tropical Depression Seven.
[124] At 12:50 UTC on July 22, the NHC upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Gonzalo.
[125] Gonzalo continued to intensify throughout the day, with an eyewall under a central dense overcast and hints of a developing eye becoming evident.
[126] Gonzalo would then reach its peak intensity with wind speeds of 65 mph and a minimum central pressure of 997 mbar at 09:00 UTC the next day.
[127] However, strengthening was halted as its central dense overcast was significantly disrupted when the storm entrained very dry air into its circulation from the Saharan Air Layer to its north.
[128] Convection soon redeveloped over Gonzalo's center as the system attempted to mix out the dry air from its' circulation,
[129] but the tropical storm did not strengthen further due to the hostile conditions. After making landfall on the island of Trinidad as a weak tropical storm, Gonzalo weakened to a tropical depression at 18:00 UTC on July 25. Three hours later, Gonzalo opened up into a tropical wave as it made landfall in northern Venezuela.
[130]
Gonzalo was the earliest recorded seventh named storm in the Atlantic basin. The previous record holder was
Tropical Storm Gert, which formed on July 24, 2005.
[131] On July 23, hurricane watches were issued for Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and a tropical storm watch was issued later that day for Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago.
[132] After Gonzalo failed to strengthen into a hurricane on July 24, the hurricane and tropical storm watches were replaced with tropical storm warnings.
[133] Tropical Storm Gonzalo brought squally weather to Trinidad and Tobago and parts of southern Grenada and northern Venezuela on July 25.
[134] However, the storm's impact ended up being significantly smaller than originally anticipated.
[135] The Tobago Emergency Management Agency only received two reports of damage on the island: a fallen tree on a health facility in Les Coteaux and a damaged bus stop roof in Argyle.
[136]
