Hurricane Gabrielle forecast to approach Azores on Thursday, September 25
A Hurricane Watch was issued for all islands of the Azores at 11:00 AST (15:00 UTC) on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, as Category 4 Hurricane Gabrielle moves east-northeastward over the North Atlantic. The system is forecast to approach the archipelago late Thursday, bringing the risk of hurricane-force winds, storm surge, and 75–125 mm (3–5 inches) of rainfall to the central and western islands. Swells are already affecting Bermuda, the U.S. East Coast, and Atlantic Canada.
Satellite image of Hurricane Gabrielle at 16:30 UTC on September 23, 2025. Credit: NOAA/GOES-East, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers
- Gabrielle is forecast to approach the Azores late on Thursday as a hurricane. In response, a Hurricane Watch is now in effect for all of the islands of the Azores and interests there should closely monitor Gabrielle’s progress.
- Swells generated by Gabrielle will continue to affect Bermuda, the east coast of the United States from North Carolina northward, as well as Atlantic Canada, during the next couple of days, likely causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
At 15:00 UTC (11:00 AST) on September 23, the center of Hurricane Gabrielle was located about 2 840 km (1 765 miles) west of the Azores and 630 km (390 miles) east-northeast of Bermuda.
Gabrielle’s maximum sustained winds are estimated at 220 km/h (140 mph), with higher gusts, making it a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The minimum central pressure is 948 mb. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 65 km (40 miles) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 220 km (140 miles).
The cyclone is moving east-northeast at 31 km/h (20 mph) and is expected to accelerate in this direction through Thursday. The current forecast brings the center very near or over the Azores late Thursday before the system turns more poleward.
The Azores Meteorological Service issued a Hurricane Watch for all islands, expecting hurricane conditions by Thursday night.
Forecast rainfall totals are 75–125 mm (3–5 inches) across the central and western Azores and 25–50 mm (1–2 inches) in the eastern islands.
However, a dangerous storm surge may cause significant coastal flooding in areas of onshore winds, with large destructive waves expected near the coast.
Satellite and microwave imagery show a well-defined eye with deep convection, though increasing westerly wind shear is beginning to disrupt the inner-core structure. Shear is forecast to strengthen to more than 20 kt within 24 hours and above 30 kt in 48 hours, leading to gradual weakening. Interaction with a mid-latitude trough should accelerate extratropical transition, expected to complete shortly after the system passes the Azores.
Swells generated by Gabrielle are currently affecting Bermuda, the east coast of the United States from North Carolina northward, and Atlantic Canada. The swells are expected to persist for several days, producing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
While Gabrielle will likely weaken as it nears the Azores, the system is still forecast to bring dangerous marine and coastal hazards across a wide area of the North Atlantic.
References:
1 Hurricane Gabrielle Advisory Number 27 – NWS/NHC – September 23, 2025
2 Hurricane Gabrielle Discussion Number 27 – NWS/NHC – September 23, 2025
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
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