Tropical Depression 7 forms in the central Atlantic, heading toward the Caribbean

We forecast for this system to become Tropical Storm Gonzalo as it slowly moves west

By: Irene Sans, WFTV.com
Updated: July 21, 2020 - 6:06 PM

ORLANDO, Fla. — The National Hurricane Center has started issuing advisories on the 7th tropical system of the hurricane season. So far, this system is becoming better organized but through satellites it is estimated that this system has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, making it a tropical depression. It is located about 1400 miles east of the southern portion of the Windward Islands.

Tropical Depression 7 will continue traveling westward as it gains strength during the next few days as it approaches the Caribbean. At the 5 p.m. advisories, the track places a tropical storm (which by then would be named Gonzalo) near Grenada on Saturday.

Read: Forecasters highly confident about an active 2020 Hurricane Season

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Nota en español: Temporada de Huracanes 2020: Pronosticadores altamente confiados en una temporada activa

Here we go with the long term tracking.... An easterly wave over 1400 miles from the Caribbean becomes Tropical Depression 7. We should have Tropical Storm #Gonzalo out of this one by tomorrow. Should be in the Caribbean this weekend. #StormAlert9 pic.twitter.com/izITZ0uciQ
— Irene Sans (@IreneSans) July 21, 2020

Early forecasts show this system moving slowly over the southern Caribbean through the weekend. It is way too early to know if this system could have an impact to Central Florida. Luckily, we have plenty of time to watch this system evolve. We will continue to monitor this situation and bring you the latest on WFTV.com, our newscasts, and on our free WFTV Weather app.

We're getting into the time of the season when easterly waves percolate and develop into long-track tropical systems under the right conditions. https://t.co/B0qR5Lu10B
— Tom Terry (@TTerryWFTV) July 21, 2020