Gabrielle races across the North Atlantic, eyes on two more systems that follow
Hurricane Gabrielle isn't the only storm to watch as two additional Atlantic systems show potential for development this week
Gabrielle, while slightly weakened, remained a Category 3 storm as of Wednesday morning. The hurricane is racing east-northeast across the North Atlantic, with a hurricane warning currently in effect for the Azores.
Gabrielle is forecast to approach the Azores on Thursday and move across the island chain from Thursday night into Friday.
While gradual weakening is expected over the next couple of days, Gabrielle is still projected to remain a hurricane as it passes through the Azores.
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Dangerous storm surge is anticipated to cause significant coastal flooding in areas experiencing onshore winds, warns the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). This surge will be accompanied by large, destructive waves.
From Thursday through Friday morning, Gabrielle is expected to bring 75 to 125 mm of rain to the central and western Azores. Meanwhile, outer bands of the storm could deliver 25 to 50 mm of rainfall across the eastern Azores during the same period.
Over the past 50 years, only three hurricanes have passed through the Azores, either making landfall or tracking between the islands. All were Category 1 storms:
Emmy on Sept. 3, 1976
Gordon on Sept. 20, 2006
Gordon on Aug. 20, 2012
Swells from Hurricane Gabrielle will continue to impact Bermuda, U.S. East Coast, and Atlantic Canada
"Swells generated by Gabrielle will continue to affect Bermuda, the U.S. East Coast from North Carolina northward, and Atlantic Canada over the next couple of days," the NHC says. "These swells are expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip current conditions."
If you’re ever caught in a rip current and you can’t swim, don’t panic. Calmly signal for help and tread water until assistance arrives. Folks experienced in swimming should swim parallel to the beach until out of the rip current, then swim directly back to shore.
Eyes on two additional tropical systems
Looking ahead, two areas of interest are approaching the U.S. coastline as we head into next week.
Although both disturbances are currently disorganized, atmospheric conditions are expected to become more favourable for storm development and strengthening.
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Forecasters and communities along the U.S. eastern seaboard should closely monitor these systems as they evolve.