000 WTNT32 KNHC 011136 TCPAT2 BULLETIN HURRICANE GASTON INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 39A NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL072016 800 AM AST THU SEP 01 2016 ...GASTON SLOWLY WEAKENING WHILE IT MOVES TOWARDS THE WESTERN AZORES... SUMMARY OF 800 AM AST...1200 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...37.2N 41.9W ABOUT 725 MI...1170 KM W OF FAIAL ISLAND IN THE CENTRAL AZORES ABOUT 810 MI...1310 KM W OF LAJES AIR BASE IN THE AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...85 MPH...140 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...ENE OR 65 DEGREES AT 26 MPH...43 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...981 MB...28.97 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 A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * 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 within 36 hours. 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 800 AM AST (1200 UTC), the center of Hurricane Gaston was located near latitude 37.2 North, longitude 41.9 West. Gaston is moving toward the east-northeast near 26 mph (43 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue during the next day or two. On the forecast track, the center of Gaston will move near the western Azores on Friday and the central Azores by Friday night. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional 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. 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 981 mb (28.97 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the western Azores on Friday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the central Azores late Friday and Friday night. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 1100 AM AST. $$ Forecaster Brennan