000 WTNT32 KNHC 011738 TCPAT2 BULLETIN HURRICANE GASTON INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 40A NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL072016 200 PM AST THU SEP 01 2016 ...GASTON MOVING QUICKLY EAST-NORTHEASTWARD TOWARD THE WESTERN AZORES... SUMMARY OF 200 PM AST...1800 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...38.0N 39.2W ABOUT 570 MI...920 KM W OF FAIAL ISLAND IN THE CENTRAL AZORES ABOUT 655 MI...1055 KM W OF LAJES AIR BASE IN THE AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...85 MPH...140 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...ENE OR 70 DEGREES AT 24 MPH...39 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...980 MB...28.94 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 200 PM AST (1800 UTC), the center of Hurricane Gaston was located near latitude 38.0 North, longitude 39.2 West. Gaston is moving toward the east-northeast near 24 mph (39 km/h), and this motion is forecast to continue for the next couple of days with a decrease in forward speed expected on Friday. 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 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts. Some 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, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 980 mb (28.94 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 500 PM AST. $$ Forecaster Brennan