MIAMI (AP) — A fast-moving Hurricane Gabrielle is on course to bring heavy rain, high winds, and a storm surge to the Azores islands starting Thursday night and continuing through early Friday, according to forecasters. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for the entire volcanic archipelago, emphasizing the need for residents to hasten their preparations.
As of Thursday afternoon, Gabrielle was located approximately 455 miles (730 kilometers) west of the Azores, boasting maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph) and moving eastward at 32 mph (52 kph). Swells expected to result from this storm are forecasted to create life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, impacting Bermuda, the northeastern U.S. coast, and Atlantic Canada.
Gabrielle is anticipated to maintain hurricane strength while passing through the Azores, before weakening over the weekend. Nevertheless, forecasters caution that significant wind gusts with hurricane-force may still affect parts of the islands even after the storm's center has passed.
A particularly dangerous storm surge, paired with large and destructive waves, is predicted to lead to serious coastal flooding where onshore winds prevail. From Thursday into Friday, Gabrielle could deliver up to 5 inches (13 cm) of rain to the central Azores, with the possibility of flash flooding in mountainous areas; the eastern and western segments of the Azores may receive around 3 inches (8 cm).
In related news, Tropical Storm Humberto is forming in the Caribbean, located 465 miles (750 kilometers) east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands with sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph) and potentially strengthening into a hurricane soon.
In the Pacific, Hurricane Narda is moving away from Mexico and is expected to regain strength, potentially reaching Category 2 status by Friday. Coastal areas are advised to prepare for life-threatening surf conditions triggered by swells generated by Narda.
As of Thursday afternoon, Gabrielle was located approximately 455 miles (730 kilometers) west of the Azores, boasting maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph) and moving eastward at 32 mph (52 kph). Swells expected to result from this storm are forecasted to create life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, impacting Bermuda, the northeastern U.S. coast, and Atlantic Canada.
Gabrielle is anticipated to maintain hurricane strength while passing through the Azores, before weakening over the weekend. Nevertheless, forecasters caution that significant wind gusts with hurricane-force may still affect parts of the islands even after the storm's center has passed.
A particularly dangerous storm surge, paired with large and destructive waves, is predicted to lead to serious coastal flooding where onshore winds prevail. From Thursday into Friday, Gabrielle could deliver up to 5 inches (13 cm) of rain to the central Azores, with the possibility of flash flooding in mountainous areas; the eastern and western segments of the Azores may receive around 3 inches (8 cm).
In related news, Tropical Storm Humberto is forming in the Caribbean, located 465 miles (750 kilometers) east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands with sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph) and potentially strengthening into a hurricane soon.
In the Pacific, Hurricane Narda is moving away from Mexico and is expected to regain strength, potentially reaching Category 2 status by Friday. Coastal areas are advised to prepare for life-threatening surf conditions triggered by swells generated by Narda.
