Tropical cyclone intensifies and is expected to affect the Azores

Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle is expected to intensify in the coming hours and pass between the Western and Central Azores groups on Friday as a Category 1 Hurricane, with the weather forecast to worsen across all islands, IPMA reported.

In a statement, the Azores Meteorological Forecast and Surveillance Center of the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) said that tropical cyclone Gabrielle is located this Monday “approximately 3,000 kilometers southwest of the Western group” (Flores and Corvo) of the Azores, “moving to the north-northwest, and is expected to intensify over the next few hours”.

According to the latest update, the center of the cyclone is expected to pass between the Western (Flores and Corvo) and Central (Terceira, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge and Faial) groups on Friday, “classified as a Category 1 Hurricane,” says meteorologist Elsa Vieira from the IPMA Azores delegation.

If the trajectory continues, the weather is expected to worsen across all the islands as the cyclone approaches the archipelago.

On Friday, starting in the early hours of the morning, precipitation is expected across all islands, with heavy rainfall in the Western and Central groups. Winds are expected to intensify, with gusts ranging from 120 to 150 kilometers per hour (from the southwest, turning northwest), according to the IPMA.

Regarding sea agitation, it should also increase, with waves of seven to eight meters of significant height and a maximum height of around 14 to 15 meters (from the southwest, turning to the northwest).

Taking into account "the geographic and temporal distance at which the cyclone is still located," the IPMA states that "some uncertainty remains regarding its trajectory and respective intensity, which could lead to changes in the currently available forecast."