Tropical Storm Gonzalo became a hurricane with winds of 75 mph at the 5 p.m. Monday update from the National Hurricane Center. Further strengthening is likely as Gonzalo continues on its northwest track at 12 mph.
Hurricane force winds extend outward 10 miles from the center, with tropical storm force winds extending outward 105 miles from the center.
Meteorologist Odalys Martinez at the National Weather Service in San Juan said the center will pass 50 miles northeast of St. John at 2 a.m.
She said St. Thomas and St. John residents can expect sustained winds of 45 mph with higher gusts. She said St. Croix will get gusty winds when rains blow through.
As of the 5 p.m. update, Gonzalo was centered at 17.9 degrees north latitude and 62.9 degrees west longitude. That puts it about 140 miles east-southeast of St. Thomas.
The territory remains on a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch.
