000 WTNT32 KNHC 021451 TCPAT2 BULLETIN TROPICAL STORM GASTON ADVISORY NUMBER 44 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL072016 1100 AM AST FRI SEP 02 2016 ...GASTON PASSING NEAR THE WESTERN AZORES... SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...39.1N 32.0W ABOUT 180 MI...290 KM WNW OF FAIAL ISLAND IN THE CENTRAL AZORES ABOUT 265 MI...425 KM W OF LAJES AIR BASE IN THE AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...70 MPH...110 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...ENE OR 70 DEGREES AT 18 MPH...30 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...990 MB...29.24 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 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Gaston was located near latitude 39.1 North, longitude 32.0 West. Gaston is moving toward the east-northeast near 18 mph (30 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue through 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 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher gusts. Weakening is forecast during the next 36 hours, and Gaston is expected to become a remnant low on Saturday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 990 mb (29.24 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the western Azores today and in the central Azores tonight. RAINFALL: Gaston is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 1 to 3 inches over the western and central Azores through Saturday. 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 intermediate advisory at 200 PM AST. Next complete advisory at 500 PM AST. $$ Forecaster Pasch