000
WTNT32 KNHC 311441
TCPAT2

BULLETIN
HURRICANE GASTON ADVISORY NUMBER  36
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL       AL072016
1100 AM AST WED AUG 31 2016

...MAJOR HURRICANE GASTON MOVING FASTER TO THE EAST-NORTHEAST...


SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...34.0N 48.6W
ABOUT 1150 MI...1850 KM W OF FAIAL ISLAND IN THE CENTRAL AZORES
ABOUT 1235 MI...1990 KM W OF LAJES AIR BASE IN THE AZORES
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...115 MPH...185 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...ENE OR 60 DEGREES AT 15 MPH...24 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...961 MB...28.38 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Interests in the Azores should monitor the progress of Gaston.  A
hurricane or tropical storm watch could be issued later today.


DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Gaston was
located near latitude 34.0 North, longitude 48.6 West. Gaston is
moving toward the east-northeast near 15 mph (24 km/h), and this
general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected during
the next couple of days.  On this track Gaston will be approaching
the Azores on Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph (185 km/h) with higher
gusts.  Gaston is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson
Hurricane Wind Scale.  Some gradual weakening is forecast during the
next 48 hours.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles
(280 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 961 mb (28.38 inches).


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
None.


NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
Next complete advisory at 500 PM AST.

$$
Forecaster Blake