Hurricane Warning Issued as Gabrielle Bears Down on Azores

The Azores are bracing for Hurricane Gabrielle as the storm moves quickly across the subtropical Atlantic.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami reports that Gabrielle was located about 1,200 miles west of the islands on Wednesday afternoon. The storm is moving east-northeast at 25 miles per hour.

Maximum sustained winds are near 110 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend 45 miles from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds reach out 150 miles. Some weakening is expected in the coming days but Gabrielle is forecast to remain a hurricane when it reaches the Azores Thursday and Friday.

Authorities have issued a hurricane warning for the entire island chain. Residents are urged to complete preparations to protect life and property immediately.

Gabrielle is expected to bring tropical-storm-force winds by Thursday evening and full hurricane conditions Thursday night into Friday. Heavy rainfall is forecast with 75 to 125 millimetres over the central and western islands and 25 to 50 millimetres across the east. A dangerous storm surge and large waves are likely in areas with onshore winds.

The storm is also generating swells that will affect Bermuda, the U.S. East Coast, and Atlantic Canada, producing hazardous surf and strong rip currents.