Hurricane Gabrielle over the Azores. Will it reach continental Europe?

Hurricane Gabrielle – the second strongest of this season – is currently passing over the Azores. The islands have been placed under the highest red alert, and residents are advised to stay indoors. According to meteorologists, the Atlantic storm may affect weather conditions in some regions of continental Europe.

Hurricane Gabrielle – origin and development

Gabrielle is the seventh named Atlantic hurricane of this season. It began forming on September 11, triggered by a long-lasting tropical wave in the central Atlantic – low-pressure air masses coming from Africa.

At first, the hurricane had a disorganized form without a clearly defined center, partly due to excessively dry air. From September 16, it began to intensify, and on September 21 it reached Category 1 on the Saffir–Simpson scale. The very next afternoon, wind strength peaked, and Hurricane Gabrielle was classified as Category 4 (out of 5). Formed near Bermuda, the storm started moving across the Atlantic toward Europe.

Azores on highest alert

The strength of Hurricane Gabrielle is gradually decreasing. It is now classified as Category 1, the lowest on the Saffir–Simpson scale, but for the residents of the Azores – the archipelago the hurricane reached on Thursday – it still poses a threat.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns that wind speeds on the western side of the Atlantic may reach 130–200 km/h, with wave heights forecast at 14–18 m. Rainfall of up to 125 mm is also expected. As a result, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere issued the highest-level alert for the entire archipelago – a measure reserved only for the most dangerous events.

The Regional Government of the Azores urges residents to stay indoors, secure windows and doors, and follow the latest official updates. This means that life on the islands has come to a standstill. According to Reuters journalists, all flights have been canceled, government offices and schools closed, and all public events for residents and tourists suspended. Any activity on the coast and along riverbanks is strictly forbidden.

It was initially forecast that Hurricane Gabrielle would threaten the Azores for 24–36 hours, but the latest NOAA data showed that by midday Friday its center was already located northeast of the archipelago.

Warnings for Portugal, uncertain situation in the British Isles

At noon on September 26, wind speeds were recorded at 100 km/h. This shows that as the hurricane approaches Europe and encounters colder waters, it will continue to weaken. The National Hurricane Center has classified it at this stage as post-tropical, lacking clear tropical features. Nevertheless, even with reduced strength, it can still affect the weather.

NOAA data indicate that Gabrielle should reach the western coasts of Europe on Sunday morning. In response, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere issued a lowest-level warning for several coastal cities, including Lisbon, where waves may reach 4–5 m in height.

The weakening Hurricane Gabrielle is not expected to cause significant damage inland in Europe. However, the UK Met Office stated in its September 25 bulletin that weather conditions in the British Isles over the weekend may be uncertain. This is linked to the hurricane, which will then be located in the Bay of Biscay while losing strength. Met Office representatives stress that, despite the distance, the storm may still influence the weather in the UK. There is also a possibility of stalled weather fronts, especially in the south, east, and southeast.

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