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Current storm status Category 1 hurricane (1-min mean) | |||
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As of: | 2 a.m. AST (0600 UTC) September 20 | ||
Location: | 37.6°N 26.3°W ± 20 nm About 40 miles (60 km) WSW of São Miguel in the Azores About 90 miles (140 km) SSE of Terceira in the Azores | ||
Sustained winds: | 65 knots | 75 mph | 120 km/h (1-min mean) gusting to 85 knots | 100 mph | 155 km/h | ||
Pressure: | 987 mbar (29.15 inHg) | ||
Movement: | east near 33 mph (54 km/h) | ||
See more detailed information. |
Hurricane Gordon is the seventh tropical storm, third hurricane and first major hurricane of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. It is currently active.
Storm history
The initial development of this system can be linked to Hurricane Florence. It began as a tropical wave immediately behind Florence in the first week of September, which initially was absorbed into the enormous circulation of then-Tropical Storm Florence. As Florence began to organize and move northwest, the wave managed to break from the circulation again and gradually organize despite initially hostile conditions. On September 10, it had organized enough to be declared Tropical Depression Seven northeast of the Lesser Antilles.
With Florence well away from the system, conditions became more favorable for development, and it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Gordon on September 11 while moving slowly westward. The conditions remained favorable as Gordon steered through a hole in the ridge near the Azores, allowing it to avoid land. It continued to strengthen, becoming a hurricane on September 12 and rapidly organizing into a strong Category 2 hurricane less than 24 hours later.
The rapid development continued on September 13, and by that evening, it had strengthened into a major hurricane - the first of 2006 - while maintaining a very small size. Gordon would remain a major hurricane for over 24 hours before cooler water began to set in and Gordon gradually weakened, beginning early on September 15. The steering currents would also weaken greatly and Gordon became nearly stationary for about 24 hours as well before a trough would come in and send Gordon northeastward.
By the morning of September 16, Gordon was barely a hurricane and was forecasted to weaken over cooler waters. However, that did not happen, and in a flashback to two late-season storms in the previous season that had similar things happen (Epsilon and Zeta), Gordon actually strengthened slightly while moving northeastward and became better organized. That trend continued for over 48 hours, and Gordon increased in strength gradually, becoming a Category 2 hurricane.
While the forecast constantly showed a weakening trend, the resiliency suddenly meant that the Azores were threatened by Gordon. Gordon reached its secondary peak of 105 mph (165 km/h) on the morning of September 19, before weakening slightly. Nonetheless, it remained a hurricane as it approached the Azores.
Preparations
With the onset of Gordon expected, the government of the Azores increased the emergency presence, and asked residents to take emergency precautions. The civil protection agency head Antonio Cunha closed all schools as a precautionary measure. Fishermen were also ordered to stay on land.
All nine Azorean islands were placed on red alert by the Portuguese government in preparation of Gordon.[1]
Impact
The center of Gordon has not approached land yet; no damage or fatalities have been reported, though satelite imagery shows possible rain over western portions of the Azores.
Current storm information
As of 2 a.m. AST (0600 UTC) September 20, Hurricane Gordon is located within 20 nautical miles of 37.6°N 26.3°W, about 40 miles (60 km) WSW of São Miguel in the Azores and 90 miles (140 km) SSE of Terceira in the Azores. Maximum sustained winds are 65 knots (75 mph, 120 km/h), with stronger gusts. Minimum central pressure is 987 mbar (29.15 inches), and the system is moving east near 33 mph (54 km/h). Hurricane-force winds currently extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center and tropical storm-force winds currently extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km) from the center.
According to the NHC, total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible over the Azores, with isolated totals of 6 inches possible at high elevations. Storm surges of 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels are also possible as Gordon passes over the islands.
Hurricane warning levels |
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Hurricane warning |
Hurricane conditions expected within 36 hours. |
Hurricane watch |
Hurricane conditions possible within 48 hours. |
Tropical storm warning |
Tropical storm conditions expected within 36 hours. |
Tropical storm watch |
Tropical storm conditions possible within 48 hours. |
Storm surge warning |
Life-threatening storm surge possible within 36 hours. |
Storm surge watch |
Life-threatening storm surge possible within 48 hours. |
Extreme wind warning |
Winds reaching Category 3 status or higher likely (issued two hours or less before onset of extreme winds). |
Warnings and watches
As of 2 a.m. AST (0600 UTC) September 20, a hurricane warning is in effect for the eastern Azores.
For latest official information see:
- The NHC's latest public advisory on Hurricane Gordon.
- The NHC's latest forecast/advisory on Hurricane Gordon.