000 WTNT32 KNHC 020555 TCPAT2 BULLETIN HURRICANE GASTON INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 42A NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL072016 200 AM AST FRI SEP 02 2016 ...GASTON EXPECTED TO BECOME A TROPICAL STORM TODAY... ...TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS EXPECTED IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL AZORES LATER THIS MORNING... SUMMARY OF 200 AM AST...0600 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...38.4N 35.4W ABOUT 360 MI...585 KM W OF FAIAL ISLAND IN THE CENTRAL AZORES ABOUT 450 MI...720 KM W OF LAJES AIR BASE IN THE AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...75 MPH...120 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...ENE OR 75 DEGREES AT 16 MPH...25 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...989 MB...29.21 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 the next 12 to 24 hours. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 200 AM AST (0600 UTC), the center of Hurricane Gaston was located near latitude 38.4 North, longitude 35.4 West. Gaston is moving toward the east-northeast at a decreased forward speed near 16 mph (25 km/h). An eastward or east-northeastward motion is expected on Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of Gaston will move near the western Azores today, and pass north of the central Azores tonight. Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Gaston is expected to become a tropical storm today. The cyclone should become post-tropical on Saturday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 989 mb (29.21 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the western Azores later this morning and in the central Azores tonight. 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 are affecting the Azores and will 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 AM AST. $$ Forecaster Roberts/Stewart