Gabrielle

Hurricane Gabrielle could even have knock-on effects on the weather in the UK with reports of heavy rainfall on its way

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued an urgent travel update for anyone planning to visit a popular Portuguese hotspot or its surrounding regions. It comes amid a warning published today (September 25) with the government department alerting travellers to an approaching storm that’s expected to hit very soon.

Its update forms part of the Foreign Office’s Portugal travel advice which also includes Madeira, Porto Santo and the Azores. In its latest advisory, it noted that a tropical storm warning has been issued specifically for the Azores, where adverse weather conditions are anticipated to develop rapidly – and where around four million tourists visit a year, with Brits the top nation for visitors.

The travel experts highlighted that Hurricane Gabrielle is forecast to reach the Azores during the afternoon of September 25, urging travellers in the region to stay informed and take precautions if needed. Because of the expected weather conditions, there could “be disruption to services due to hurricane force winds and possible coastal flooding.” People are being urged to take care and read up on the latest advice over the next few days.

Noting that “hurricanes can change course and intensity”, it stated that the situation is being closely monitored by the US National Hurricane Center. It further advised people follow the guidance of their local authorities, adding: “If you are due to travel, check for updates from your travel provider.”

The US National Hurricane Center website warned travellers that currently, “a hurricane warning is in effect for all of the islands of the Azores, and hurricane conditions are likely tonight into Friday. Significant hurricane-force wind gusts are likely across portions of the Azores even after the center passes.”

The warning continues: “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.”

As well as this, “heavy rainfall from Gabrielle could produce flash flooding across the terrain of the central Azores tonight through Friday morning. Swells generated by Gabrielle will continue to affect Bermuda during the next couple of days, and the east coast of the United States from North Carolina northward and Atlantic Canada for the next day or so.”

Guidance from the experts concluded: “These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.”

What to do if you are affected by flooding or a storm

Flooding may result from heavy rainfall, tropical cyclones, or tsunamis. These events can cause extensive damage, including loss of life and major disruption to transport networks. During a flood, there is a significant risk of drowning and after, the likelihood of contracting water-borne diseases such as malaria or typhoid fever increases.

People can find out more about flooding from TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre), the World Health Organisation and the Met Office. In addition to flooding, tropical cyclones cause “considerable loss of life” every year. They can also cause “immense damage to property, and damage transport, electricity and communication infrastructure.”

Tropical cyclones gain energy from the heat released when moist air rises into the atmosphere. Hurricane season takes place during the months when sea surface temperatures in a given region are at their peak.

Highest risk:

• June to November in the Northern Hemisphere Tropics (Caribbean, Atlantic, Southeast Asia, Pacific, Far East)
• November to April in the Southern Hemisphere Tropics (for example, East Africa coast)

Tropical cyclones can cause:

• high winds: buildings can be damaged or destroyed; trees, power and telephone lines fall; flying debris becomes dangerous
• storm surge: a hurricane can cause a temporary rise in sea level of several metres which can flood coastal areas and damage buildings on the shoreline
• very heavy rainfall: this can cause localised or widespread flooding and mudslides

You can find the latest Portugal travel advice here. Please keep an eye on the Foreign Office before and during your holiday.

Sept. 25 (UPI) — The Azores were expected to be hit with hurricane conditions starting Wednesday night, the National Hurricane Center said, as Hurricane Gabrielle continued across the Atlantic Ocean.

The eye of the storm was located about 855 miles west of the Azores, the NHC said in its 3 a.m. GMT Thursday update.

It was moving east at a blistering 31 mph and had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, a significant decrease from Tuesday when it was a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. As of Thursday morning, it was a Category 1 hurricane.

The government of Portugal had issued a hurricane watch for all of the Azores, an autonomous region of the European nation, due to Gabrielle on Tuesday, but upgraded it to a warning on Wednesday.

A hurricane warning is generally issued 36 hours before the anticipated first impact of tropical-storm-force winds and is signals that one should complete storm preparations.

“On the forecast track, the center of Gabrielle will approach the Azores today and move across the island chain tonight into early Friday,” the NHC said.

Gabrielle had been traveling northwest and turned north toward Bermuda as it gathered strength last week. But the storm shifted east on Monday and passed east of the island Monday night.

It has steadily weakened over the last few days, and forecasters said it could lose a bit of strength, but it is expected to regain some before moving over the Azores.

The swells from the storm will continue to reach the U.S. eastern coast from North Carolina northward, as well as Atlantic Canada, the NHC said, adding that they are expected to persist for another day or so.

“These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” it said.

Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Last month, Erin became a Category 5 hurricane with 160-mph winds spreading across a 500-mile area.

Sept. 22 (UPI) — Hurricane Gabrielle was expected to continue rapidly moving toward the Azores in the Atlantic on Wednesday, where the government has upgraded a hurricane watch to a warning.

The eye of the storm was located about 1,360 miles west of the Azores, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 a.m. AST update.

It was moving east-northeast at a blistering 25 mph and had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, a significant decrease from Tuesday when it was a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. As of Wednesday morning, it was a Category 3 hurricane.

The government of Portugal had issued a hurricane watch for all of the Azores, an autonomous region of the European nation, due to Gabrielle on Tuesday, but upgraded it to a warning on Wednesday.

A hurricane warning is generally issued 36 hours before the anticipated first impact of tropical-storm-force winds and is a signal that one should complete storm preparations.

“On the forecast track, the center of Gabrielle will approach the Azores during the day on Thursday, and move across the island chain Thursday night into Friday,” the NHC said.

Gabrielle had been traveling northwest and made a turn to the north toward Bermuda as it gathered strength last week. But the storm made a turn toward the east on Monday and passed east of the island Monday night.

Forecasters said Gabrielle was weakening and will continue to do so as it travels over the northeastern Atlantic.

The swells from the storm will continue to reach the U.S. eastern coast from North Carolina northward, as well as Atlantic Canada, the NHC said, adding that they are expected to continue through this week.

“These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” it said.

Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Last month, Erin became a Category 5 hurricane with 160-mph winds spreading across a 500-mile area.

Sept. 22 (UPI) — Gabrielle, a major Category 4 hurricane, was moving northeastward toward the open central Atlantic Ocean early Tuesday, after having passed Bermuda overnight, the National Hurricane Center said.

The eye of the storm was located about 305 miles east-northeast of Bermuda and about 1,855 miles west of the Azores, the NHC said in its 5 a.m. AST update.

It was moving northeast at 13 mph and had maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, up 20 mph from Monday morning, making it a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect, but interests in Azores were urged to monitor Gabrielle’s progress.

Gabrielle had been traveling northwest and made a turn to the north toward Bermuda as it gathered strength last week. But the storm made a turn toward the east on Monday and passed east of the island Monday night.

Forecasters described Gabrielle as “an impressive hurricane” that is expected to gradually weaken over the next 24 hours.

“Gabrielle is forecast to approach the Azores late on Thursday,” the NHC said in a discussion on the storm. Interests in the Azores should monitor the progress of Gabrielle though it is too soon to specify the magnitude of potential wind, rainfall and wave impacts,” the NHC said in a discussion on the storm.

In its update, the NHC said Gabrielle is expected to see little change in strength through Tuesday, followed by gradual weakening into Wednesday.

The swells from the storm will continue to reach the U.S. eastern coast from North Carolina northward, as well as Atlantic Canada, the NHC said, adding that they are expected to continue through early this week.

“These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” it said.

Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Last month, Erin became a Category 5 hurricane with 160-mph winds spreading across a 500-mile area.

Sept. 22 (UPI) — Hurricane Gabrielle is forecast to continue strengthening early Monday as it nears Bermuda, and residents are being urged to monitor forecast updates.

The storm’s center was located about 210 miles southeast of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph, making it a Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the National Hurricane Center said during its 5 a.m. AST Monday advisory.

It was moving north-northwest at 10 mph, it added.

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect, but interests in Bermuda were urged to monitor Gabrielle’s progress.

Though modeling shows the storm is expected to remain well east of the island, the swells it generates will continue to affect the island over the next few days. “Gusty winds and showers” are also possible for Bermuda on Monday as the storm passes to its east, the NHC added in a discussion.

Forecasters said the storm is expected to rapidly strengthen over the next 24 hours, with Gabrielle to become a major hurricane by Monday night.

The swells from the storm have begun to reach the U.S. eastern coast from North Carolina northward, as well as Atlantic Canada, the NHC said, adding they should continue through early this week.

“These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” it said.

Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Last month, Erin became a Category 5 hurricane with 160-mph winds spreading over 500 miles.

Sept. 17 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Gabrielle is strengthening and is expected to reach hurricane status either Saturday night or Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm’s center was located about 575 miles north-northeast of the Leeward Islands and about 500 miles south of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, while moving northwesterly at 10 mph, the NHC said during its 5 p.m. AST advisory.

Tropical storm-force winds extend up to 140 miles outward from the storm’s center and mostly to the east.

The NHC expects Gabrielle to continue on its current track through Saturday night, followed by a turn toward north-northeast on Sunday.

Forecasters predict the storm will continue gaining strength and as it passes east of Bermuda on Sunday night or early Monday.

Gabrielle likely will make another turn to the north and northeast on Monday or Monday night.

Forecasters earlier in the week called Gabrielle a “poorly organized” tropical storm as it continued to form over the Atlantic Ocean.

Gabrielle sat just over 900 miles from Bermuda on Friday, and local news outlets on the island were warning of the potential impact, although there were hopes the storm could pass around 200 miles east of the island.

Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Last month, Erin became a Category 5 Hurricane with 160-mph winds spreading over 500 miles.

Sept. 17 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Gabrielle is strengthening and expected to reach hurricane status this weekend, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest update Friday.

Maximum sustained winds were at about 50 mph, with higher gusts, as of the latest update issued at 11 a.m. AST.

The storm is moving at about 12 mph and is expected to continue in a northwest direction through Saturday.

Forecasters earlier in the week called Gabrielle a “poorly organized” Tropical Storm as it continued to form over the Atlantic Ocean.

“A gradual turn towards the north-northwestward is expected by Saturday night, followed by a northward motion by Sunday night,” the weather center said in the update.

“On the forecast track, the center of Gabrielle is expected to pass east of Bermuda Sunday night and Monday.”

Gabrielle sat just over 900 miles from Bermuda on Friday, and local news outlets on the island were warning of the potential impact, although there were hopes the storm could pass around 200 miles east of the island.

Tropical-storm-force winds were extending around 150 miles from the storm’s center on Friday.

“Swells generated by Gabrielle are expected to reach Bermuda tonight and build through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the National Hurricane Center said in its update.

Gabrielle is the 7th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Last month, Erin became a Category 5 Hurricane with with 160-mph winds spreading over 500 miles.

Sept. 17 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed Wednesday morning over the open Atlantic Ocean and is forecast to strengthen to hurricane force over the weekend, the National Hurricane Center said.

The eye of the storm was about 990 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, the NHC said in its 5 p.m. EST update. Gabrielle had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and was moving northwest at 14 mph.

“A northwest or west-northwest motion is expected to continue over the next few days,” the update said.

The NHC said there will be little strengthening of Gabrielle over the next 48 hours, but it may gradually intensify into a hurricane by Sunday afternoon.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle is the Atlantic hurricane season’s seventh named storm after Tropical Storms Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter and Ferdinand, and Hurricane Erin.