Hurricane Gabrielle to Slam the Azores, Prompting Hurricane Warning

Ponta Delgada, Azores — A Hurricane Warning has been issued for the Azores as Hurricane Gabrielle continues to barrel across the Atlantic toward the archipelago and Europe. The National Hurricane Center says Gabrielle is a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, and forecasters warn that hurricane conditions, including torrential rain, strong winds and a dangerous storm surge, are expected to begin within the warning area by late Thursday night into Friday morning.

Gabrielle was located about 1,285 miles west of the Azores and is moving east-northeast at 25 mph, a motion that forecasters say will likely accelerate as it nears the islands. On current forecasts, the center is expected to approach the Azores on Thursday and cross the island chain Thursday night into Friday, with the core of the storm moving through or near some parts of the archipelago. The NHC cautions that a dangerous storm surge will accompany winds blowing onshore and could produce significant coastal flooding in vulnerable localities.

The storm is forecast to deliver heavy rain across the central and western Azores, with 3-5 inches anticipated in those areas and 1-2 inches possible in the eastern Azores. Outer bands may also bring rainfall to other parts of the archipelago. Swells from Gabrielle are expected to affect Bermuda, the U.S. East Coast from North Carolina northward, and Atlantic Canada in the coming days, bringing life-threatening surf and rip currents to beaches well away from the storm center.

Behind Gabrielle, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring Invests 93L and 94L in the Atlantic for possible tropical development in the near term, signaling renewed activity as the season moves toward its late-year months. Forecasters caution that track and intensity forecasts can shift as the system evolves, and residents in affected regions should stay tuned to official advisories.

The Atlantic hurricane season has shown periods of lull, but forecasters say this year has continued to bring bursts of activity as the basin remains primed for tropical development during the late-summer to fall window. Officials urge residents and authorities in the Azores and along the North Atlantic littoral to adhere to advisories and to prepare for potential disruptions from Gabrielle.