Ouragan Gabrielle Acores: Powerful Hurricane Approaches Islands with Destructive Winds, Hurricane Center Issues Urgent Weather Forecast
The Azores are bracing for the impact of ouragan Gabrielle Acores as the powerful Category 3 hurricane barrels across the Atlantic Ocean. Authorities have issued top-level alerts, schools and transportation services have been suspended, and emergency teams are on standby as the storm threatens to bring destructive winds, torrential rainfall, and dangerous waves to the Portuguese archipelago.
Hurricane Center Tracks Gabrielle’s Path Toward the Azores
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has been closely monitoring Gabrielle since its formation in mid-September. Initially developing as a tropical depression on September 17, the storm has since intensified into a Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds near 165 km/h and gusts even higher. Current projections indicate Gabrielle will make a direct pass over the Azores between Thursday night and Friday morning before transitioning into a post-tropical system as it heads toward mainland Europe.
According to the hurricane center, the system is moving eastward at approximately 44 km/h, carrying with it severe weather conditions that could endanger lives and infrastructure across the islands.
Weather Forecast Highlights Severe Threats for the Azores
The latest weather forecast from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed the central and western groups of islands under red alert, the highest level of warning. Local officials warn residents to prepare for widespread power outages, road closures, and potential flooding.
Key forecast details include:
| Hazard | Forecast Impact |
|---|---|
| Winds | Sustained at 120–165 km/h with gusts up to 200 km/h in exposed areas |
| Rainfall | 75–130 mm (3–5 inches), triggering risk of flash floods and landslides |
| Waves | Offshore heights reaching 8–10 meters, locally up to 18 meters |
| Storm Surge | Risk of coastal inundation and destructive surf in low-lying areas |
Ouragan Gabrielle Acores: Local Preparedness and Safety Measures
Authorities in the Azores have moved quickly to prepare for Gabrielle’s arrival. Schools have been ordered to close, ferries and flights have been canceled, and ports are shutting down to prevent maritime accidents. Residents have been urged to secure outdoor belongings, stock emergency supplies, and remain indoors during the height of the storm.
Emergency services are pre-positioned across the islands to respond to incidents of flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. Local officials emphasize that the unusual strength of ouragan Gabrielle Acores makes this a rare and high-risk weather event for the region.
Expected Transition Toward Portugal and Europe
While the Azores will face the brunt of the hurricane’s tropical power, Gabrielle is forecast to weaken into a post-tropical storm as it nears Portugal and Spain over the weekend. The Spanish meteorological agency AEMET notes that heavy rain and strong winds are still likely across western Iberia, even after Gabrielle loses its hurricane classification.
This transition underscores the storm’s potential to affect a wide geographic area. As the weather forecast evolves, uncertainty remains regarding whether Gabrielle will retain tropical, subtropical, or purely extratropical characteristics upon reaching Europe.
Impact on Maritime and Coastal Conditions
One of the most dangerous elements of Gabrielle’s approach is the sea state it generates. Large swells produced by the hurricane have already begun spreading across the Atlantic, with risks extending beyond the Azores to parts of the U.S. East Coast and Canada.
For the Azores specifically, forecasters warn of:
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Waves exceeding 14 meters in offshore areas
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Life-threatening rip currents along beaches
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High potential for coastal erosion and infrastructure damage
These maritime hazards are expected to persist for days, even after the system moves eastward.
Long-Term Weather Forecast and Vigilance
Looking ahead, the hurricane center continues to stress that residents of both the Azores and mainland Europe should monitor official updates. The storm’s intensity and rapid pace mean that weather forecast models may shift, altering expected impacts.
Local authorities are advising communities to remain alert through the weekend, given the possibility of lingering rainbands and strong winds even after the eye of Gabrielle passes. The rare arrival of ouragan Gabrielle Acores is a stark reminder of the growing vulnerability of Atlantic island chains and European coastlines to severe tropical weather systems.
