ZCZC MIATCPAT2 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM BULLETIN HURRICANE GASTON INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 41A NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL072016 800 PM AST THU SEP 01 2016 ...GASTON MOVING EAST-NORTHEASTWARD TOWARD THE AZORES... SUMMARY OF 800 PM AST...0000 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...38.3N 37.3W ABOUT 465 MI...750 KM W OF FAIAL ISLAND IN THE CENTRAL AZORES ABOUT 550 MI...890 KM W OF LAJES AIR BASE IN THE AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...80 MPH...130 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...ENE OR 70 DEGREES AT 25 MPH...40 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...984 MB...29.06 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Flores and Corvo in the western Azores * Faial, Pico, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, and Terceira in the central Azores A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 24 to 36 hours. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 800 PM AST (0000 UTC), the center of Hurricane Gaston was located near latitude 38.3 North, longitude 37.3 West. Gaston is moving toward the east-northeast near 25 mph (40 km/h). An east- northeastward motion at a decreasing forward speed is expected through Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of Gaston will move near the western Azores on Friday and pass north of the central Azores on Friday night. Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph (130 km/h) with higher gusts. Weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Gaston is expected to become a tropical storm by early Friday before it reaches the western Azores. Gaston is expected to become a post-tropical cyclone on Saturday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km), mainly to the south and east of the center. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 984 mb (29.06 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the western Azores on Friday and in the central Azores Friday night. RAINFALL: Gaston is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 1 to 3 inches, primarily over the western Azores, through the weekend. SURF: Swells generated by Gaston will begin affecting the Azores tonight and continue into Saturday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. For more information, please consult products from your local weather office. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 1100 PM AST. $$ Forecaster Berg NNNN