000 WTNT32 KNHC 010253 TCPAT2 BULLETIN HURRICANE GASTON ADVISORY NUMBER 38 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL072016 1100 PM AST WED AUG 31 2016 ...TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS POSSIBLE OVER THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL AZORES ON FRIDAY... SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...36.0N 45.4W ABOUT 935 MI...1500 KM W OF FAIAL ISLAND IN THE CENTRAL AZORES ABOUT 1020 MI...1640 KM W OF LAJES AIR BASE IN THE AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...105 MPH...165 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NE OR 55 DEGREES AT 20 MPH...31 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...970 MB...28.65 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Watch 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 Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Gaston was located near latitude 36.0 North, longitude 45.4 West. Gaston is moving toward the northeast near 20 mph (31 km/h). A turn toward the east-northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next day or so. On the forecast track, the center of Gaston will move near the western and central Azores on Friday. Maximum sustained winds remain near 105 mph (165 km/h) with higher gusts. Weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Gaston is expected to lose hurricane intensity by early Friday before it reaches the western Azores. 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 970 mb (28.65 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical storm conditions are possible in the western and central Azores on Friday. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next intermediate advisory at 200 AM AST. Next complete advisory at 500 AM AST. $$ Forecaster Berg