Article first published: Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, 4 a.m. ET
Article last updated: Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, 1 p.m. ET
System type: Hurricane, Category 1
System name: Gabrielle
The National Hurricane Center’s 1 p.m. Thursday update reported that Category 1 Hurricane Gabrielle is in the Atlantic Ocean, 385 miles west of the Azores. The hurricane is moving to the east at 31 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.
“… the center of Gabrielle will move across the Azores tonight into early Friday, then approach the coast of Portugal as an extratropical cyclone by early Sunday”, forecasters wrote about the hurricane. “Gabrielle is forecast to be at hurricane strength when it passes through the Azores.” They also said “After that, it is expected to weaken as an extratropical low through the weekend.”
Yesterday (Wednesday)
Gabrielle strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane. It later devolved to a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph. The Azores under a hurricane warning, forecasters report.
Watches and warnings currently in effect
• Hurricane Warning for All of the Azores
Meaning of the different watches and warnings
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case tonight or early Friday. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
Hazards affecting land
Wind. Hurricane conditions, especially in gusts, are expected in the Azores tonight into early Friday, with tropical storm conditions likely by this evening. Significant hurricane-force wind gusts are likely across portions of the Azores even after the center passes.
Storm surge. A dangerous storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding in areas of onshore winds in the Azores. The surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
Rainfall. Through Friday morning, Gabrielle could produce up to 3 to 5 inches, 75 to 125 mm, of storm total rainfall across the central Azores. This rainfall could produce flash flooding within the mountains. Elsewhere, Gabrielle is expected to yield 1 to 3 inches, or 25 to 75 mm, of rain across the western and eastern Azores.
Surf. Swells generated by Gabrielle will spread across the Azores through tonight and continue to affect the islands through the weekend. Swells from Gabrielle will reach the coast of Portugal on Saturday. These swells are expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Source: National Hurricane Center