(ETH) – Tropical Storm Gonzalo has officially become the earliest seventh named tropical storm on record to form in the Atlantic basin. The storm has formed in the Atlantic Ocean between Africa and the Lesser Antilles and may impact parts of the Windward Islands this weekend according to a report from the Weather Channel.

Gonzala is located well over 1,000 miles east of the southern Windward Islands, moving west-northwest. According to Dr. Phil Klotzbach, a tropical scientist at Colorado State University reported that Gonzalo is the earliest seventh named tropical storm on record to form in the Atlantic basin.

The previous record was held by Tropical Storm Gert, which developed on July 24, 2005.  Gonzalo’s tiny size and the environment around it pose major forecast challenges for its future intensity. Dry air is currently to the west and north of Gonzalo, which is one factor that can weaken and disrupt tropical cyclones.

While shearing winds are currently not near this system, it may encounter increased wind shear as it nears the Windward Islands this weekend. These factors would argue for a weakening of Gonzalo by the time it nears the Windward Islands Saturday. READ MORE