Azores Hurricane Conditions Approaching Overnight
Hurricane Gabrielle Approaches the Azores
Table of Contents
Overview
Hurricane Gabrielle,now a Category 1 hurricane,is approaching the azores archipelago. As of 3 a.m. GMT on Thursday, September 25, 2025, the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) reported maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. The NHC’s update details the storm’s current position and forecast.
Gabrielle was previously a Category 4 hurricane earlier in the week but has weakened. Despite this weakening, the NHC forecasts it could regain some strength before impacting the Azores.
Current Status and Forecast Track
The storm is currently moving east at 31 mph. The NHC predicts that the center of Gabrielle will approach the Azores today, September 25th, and move across the island chain tonight into early Friday, September 26th.
The government of Portugal issued a hurricane watch for all of the Azores on Tuesday, September 23rd, which was upgraded to a hurricane warning on Wednesday, September 24th.A hurricane warning indicates that tropical-storm-force winds are expected within 36 hours, signaling a need for completion of storm preparations.
Recent History
Gabrielle initially traveled northwest and strengthened as it moved toward Bermuda last week. However, the storm shifted east on Monday, September 22nd, passing east of Bermuda Monday night.
Impacts Beyond the Azores
The NHC warns that swells generated by Gabrielle will continue to affect the U.S. eastern coast from North Carolina northward, as well as Atlantic Canada, for at least another day. These swells are expected to create life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Context
Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. In August 2025, Hurricane Erin reached Category 5 status with 160-mph winds and a 500-mile wind field, demonstrating the potential for intense storms this season.