Forecast path of Tropical Depression 7. (NOAA image)

What is now Tropical Depression 7 is expected to pass south of St. Croix as a minimal Tropical Storm Gordon sometime Sunday, National Weather Service meteorologist Walter Snell said Friday from his office in San Juan.

“You’ll probably get some moisture and gusty winds,” Snell said.

He said the rainy weather and winds will continue into Monday.

On St. Croix, which will be just over 200 miles north of the storm when it is at its closest point, Snell said winds should reach 20 to 25 mph with gusts in the 30 to 35 mph range.

St. Thomas and St. John residents will see some rain and sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

“But if it weakens, you’re not going to get that,” Snell said.

As with all tropical systems, there is some uncertainty in the forecast, but Snell said Gordon is entering an area of wind shear that should prevent it from getting much stronger. He said the forecast has it gaining only about 6 mph in strength over the next day. Anything 39 mph and over gets tropical storm status. With winds currently at 35 mph, it will only barely make the grade.

“None of the models are treating it with any respect,” Snell said.

They aren’t treating that low pressure system just off the coast of Africa with much respect either, Snell said. It said it looks like that one will deteriorate into a tropical wave and move west northwest and away from the territory.

As of the 5 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, TD 7 had sustained winds of 35 mph. It was located at 13.7 degrees north latitude and 51.9 degrees west longitude. This puts it about 510 miles east of Barbados.

It was moving west at 24 mph.

The barometric pressure stood at 1009 millibars or 29.8 inches.