The regional delegation of the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA) reported that as of 09:00 local time (10:00 in Lisbon), the tropical cyclone was located approximately 940 kilometers west of Faial Island in the Central group, moving at a speed of 52 kilometers per hour.
“Currently, cyclone Gabrielle is classified as a category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. According to the latest meteorological model results, the trajectory of tropical cyclone Gabrielle suggests it should now pass very close to or even over the Central group, maintaining the force of a category 1 hurricane,” meteorologist Vanda Costa stated.
On Tuesday, Gabrielle was classified as a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale (ranging from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most severe). On Wednesday morning, it reduced to category 3 and by the end of the day, it decreased to category 2.
The IPMA forecasts “a greater worsening of weather conditions in the Central and Eastern groups than previously indicated.”
In the Central Group (Pico, Faial, Graciosa, Terceira, and São Jorge), heavy rain, winds with gusts around 200 kilometers per hour from the south, shifting to northwest, and sea agitation with waves between eight and 10 meters high, with maximum waves possibly reaching 14 to 18 meters, are expected.
In the Western group (Flores and Corvo), there will also be heavy rainfall and gusts up to 130 kilometers per hour, with similar sea conditions as the Central group.
These two groups are under several red alerts from the IPMA—the most severe on a scale of three—between late today and Friday morning.
On the islands of São Miguel and Santa Maria (Eastern group), heavy rain “at times,” gusts between 100 and 120 kilometers per hour, and waves up to nine meters in significant height are anticipated.
The Azores will declare a state of alert between 18:00 today and 18:00 Friday in the Central and Western groups, prohibiting certain activities due to the passage of the tropical cyclone, announced the Regional Government.
“This state of alert is in effect from 18:00 today until 18:00 tomorrow [Friday],” stated Alonso Miguel, regional secretary of Environment and Climate Action, at the Civil Protection headquarters in Angra do Heroísmo.
According to Miguel, the state of alert entails the “prohibition of activities near coastlines and river areas” and “restrictions on movement near the coast, except for residents and essential services.”
Also banned are “tourist or leisure activities, including hiking trails,” as well as “sports, recreational, cultural, or religious activities in open spaces located in exposed areas at risk.”
On Thursday, the Azorean Government had already ordered the closure of schools and public services on the seven islands of the Western and Central groups from 18:00 today until 18:00 Friday.
