Tropical Storm Gabrielle Hurricane Threatens Azores With Fierce Winds, Flooding, and Dangerous Seas as Atlantic Season Intensifies

Storm History and Intensification on the Hurricane Tracker

According to the nhc and the noaa hurricane tracker, Gabrielle began as a tropical wave in mid-September before steadily organizing and strengthening. By September 21, it intensified into a major hurricane, briefly peaking as a Category 4 system. The hurricane tracker now shows Gabrielle weakening to Category 1 strength but still packing powerful winds and the potential to cause widespread disruption across the Azores.

The noaa hurricane center continues to update the forecast, noting that Gabrielle is expected to undergo extratropical transition as it moves closer to Portugal. Despite the downgrade in wind intensity, the storm still carries dangerous seas and heavy rainfall across its path.

Projected Path and Local Weather Impacts

The latest forecast from the hurricane center predicts that Gabrielle will directly impact the Azores from Thursday night into Friday morning. The storm is moving east-northeast at a steady pace, with hurricane warnings already in effect.

Expected local weather impacts in the Azores include:

• Hurricane-strength winds with gusts over 90 mph.

• Heavy rainfall capable of triggering flash floods and mudslides.

• Coastal storm surge with destructive waves threatening low-lying areas.

• Infrastructure disruptions, including power outages and blocked roads.

Table: Anticipated Hazards from Tropical Storm Gabrielle Hurricane

Tropical Storm Humberto Forecast Raises New Concerns

While Gabrielle dominates immediate attention, the tropical storm humberto forecast indicates another cyclone gaining strength in the central Atlantic. According to the noaa hurricane, humberto could intensify into a hurricane over warm waters in the coming days. The humberto spaghetti models highlight possible tracks toward Bermuda or the open Atlantic, though uncertainty remains.

Residents and emergency planners are closely monitoring the humberto hurricane risk, with some models showing potential interaction with other systems. Such scenarios could trigger the fujiwhara effect, where two cyclones rotate around each other, complicating spaghetti models and forecast tracks.

Hurricanes in the Atlantic: Tracking Multiple Systems

This phase of the season has produced several active hurricanes and tropical systems simultaneously. The noaa hurricane center warns that the Atlantic basin remains conducive to rapid storm development. Key systems currently under observation include:

• Tropical Storm Gabrielle Hurricane – Targeting the Azores with Category 1 winds.

• Tropical Storm Humberto – Strengthening in the Atlantic with potential to become a humberto hurricane.

• Invest 94L – A tropical wave with disorganized storms, possible to develop further.

National Hurricane Center Advisories and Preparedness

The nhc and hurricane center have urged residents of the Azores to complete preparations, secure property, and heed evacuation advisories where issued. Mariners across the eastern Atlantic are warned of hurricane tropical storm impacts at sea, with rough swells expected to spread to western Europe.

The noaa hurricane center stresses the importance of closely following updates, as the noaa hurricane tracker provides real-time data on storm location, wind strength, and potential impacts. With multiple hurricanes and tropical systems active, preparedness remains critical throughout the Atlantic basin.