Article first published: Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, 4 a.m. ET

System type: Tropical storm

System name: Gonzalo

At 4 a.m. Friday, the National Hurricane Center published its initial advisory of the day on the system, stating that Tropical Storm Gonzalo is in the Atlantic Ocean, 140 miles east-southeast of the Southernmost Cabo Verde Islands. With maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, it is moving to the north-northwest at 9 mph.

“… the center will pass near or over portions of the Cabo Verde Islands today and tonight,” forecasters wrote. They also said “Some strengthening is possible today, with a gradual weakening trend forecast to begin this weekend.”

Yesterday (Thursday)

Yesterday (Thursday) at 10 pm, the National Hurricane Center published the first advisory for a tropical storm.

Forecasters alert of a tropical storm warning issued for the Cabo Verde Islands.

Warning currently in effect

Tropical Storm Warning for The Cabo Verde Islands.

Meaning of the warning

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 12 hours.

Hazards affecting land

Wind. Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach the Cabo Verde Islands within the warning area in a few hours, and continue through the day and into tonight.

Rainfall. Tropical Storm Gonzalo is expected to produce rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches (30 to 75 mm) across the eastern portions of the Cabo Verde Islands today and on Saturday with less than 1 inch anticipated for the western side of the island chain. Heavy rain along the coastal areas of Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, and Senegal will produce totals between 2 to 4 inches (50 to 100 mm) with isolated higher amounts along the immediate coast.

Surf. Swells generated by the storm are expected to affect the Cabo Verde Islands through Saturday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Source: National Hurricane Center