000 WTNT31 KNHC 151138 TCPAT1 BULLETIN HURRICANE ALEX INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 7A NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL012016 800 AM AST FRI JAN 15 2016 ...CENTER OF ALEX NEARING TERCEIRA ISLAND... ...HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED IN THE CENTRAL AZORES DURING THE NEXT FEW HOURS... SUMMARY OF 800 AM AST...1200 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...38.0N 26.9W ABOUT 50 MI...80 KM SSE OF TERCEIRA ISLAND IN THE CENTRAL AZORES ABOUT 105 MI...170 KM ESE OF FAIAL ISLAND IN THE CENTRAL AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...75 MPH...120 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 5 DEGREES AT 24 MPH...39 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...986 MB...29.12 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Warning is in effect for... * Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge, Graciosa, and Terceira in the central Azores A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Sao Miguel and Santa Maria in the eastern Azores For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 800 AM AST (1200 UTC), the center of Hurricane Alex was located near latitude 38.0 North, longitude 26.9 West. Alex is moving toward the north near 24 mph (39 km/h). A northward motion at a faster forward speed is expected later this morning and this afternoon, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest tonight and Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of Alex will move near or over portions of the central Azores during the next few hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected over the next day or so. However, Alex will likely lose its tropical characteristics by this afternoon or tonight while it moves over colder waters. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km). Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel Island recently reported a sustained wind of 42 mph (69 km/h) and a wind gust of 54 mph (87 km/h). Santa Maria Island recently reported a sustained wind of 39 mph (63 km/h) and a wind gust of 53 mph (85 km/h). The estimated minimum central pressure is 986 mb (29.12 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical-storm-force winds will continue across the eastern and central Azores this morning, with hurricane conditions expected in the central Azores during the next few hours. Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater. RAINFALL: Alex is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches over the Azores through today, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 7 inches. These rains could produce life- threatening flash floods and mud slides. Rainfall should diminish across the Azores by late afternoon. STORM SURGE: A dangerous storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding near and to the east of the center of Alex. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 1100 AM AST. $$ Forecaster Brennan