RA IV/HC-37/Doc. 4.2(8) p. 2
Report on the passage of Hurricane Gonzato on St Maarten
On Sunday October 12th 2014 at 1:30 pm, Tropical Storm Gonzalo was formed approximately 330 miles/560 km south east of St. Maarten. A Tropical storm warning was issued immediately for the island.
At 11AM Monday October 13th 2014, Gonzalo began to strengthen as it moved through the Northern Leeward Islands. Subsequently, a Hurricane Watch was added to the tropical storm warning issued the previous day. At this time Gonzalo was located about 95miles/150 km southeast of St. Maarten and the 11 am observations revealed sustained winds of 21kts/ 24 mph and gust of 35kts/40 mph at Juliana.
11:00 AM Monday October 13th 2014.
LOCATION.17.2N 61.9W
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS.65 MPH.100 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT.WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 10 MPH.17 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE.992 MB.29.30 INCHES
At 2PM, Gonzalo continued to strengthen and was expected to become a hurricane any moment. The system was now located approximately 60 miles/100 km southeast of St. Maarten. At that time a sustained wind of 27kts/ 31 mph and gust of 46kts/53 mph were being reported at Juliana.
2:00 PM Monday October 13th 2014.
LOCATION...17.4N 62.4W
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS70 MPH110 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 295 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE.988 MB.29.18 INCHES
At 2:25 PM, a Hurricane Warning was issued for the island.
At 5PM Gonzalo became a hurricane approximately 15miles/25 km southeast of St. Maarten.
LOCATION...17.9N 62.9W
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...75 MPH...120 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 305 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...984 MB...29.06 INCHES
Observations at 4pm sustained wind recorded was 36kts/41 mph with gusts of 55kts/63 mph
Observations at 5pm sustained wind recorded was 34kts/39mph with gusts of 54kts/62 mph
Observations at 6pm sustained wind recorded was 29kts/33mph with gusts of 55kts/63 mph
Observations at 7pm sustained wind recorded was 37kts/43mph with gusts of 64kts/74 mph
At 8PM, Gonzalo continued to strengthen as it moved very close to St. Maarten. At this time the hurricane was located about 14 miles/22 km north of St. Maarten. At 8pm sustained wind of 42kts/ 48 mph and gust of 69 kt. /79 mph were being reported at Juliana. The 3-hour rainfall measured was 120.0mm/4.7 inches (5pm to 8pm) and the 24 –Hour rainfall recorded was 144.7 mm/5.7 inches.
8:00 PM Monday October 13th 2014.
LOCATION...18.2N 63.1W
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...80 MPH...130 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 305 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...984 MB...29.06 INCHES
The Office experienced at power outage at about 6:15pm. Communication with the automatic weather station was completely lost after 8pm.