Typhoon Ragasa Hammers Babuyan Islands

Typhoon Ragasa hammered the Babuyan Islands just north of Luzon on Sunday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Mounday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 19.4°N and longitude 121.1°E which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) north of Claveria, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 916 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa was the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale when it hit the Babuyan Islands just north of Luzon on Sunday night.  The eye at the center of Ragasa’s circulation passed over Babuyan Island.  Typhoon Ragasa brought potentially catastrophic winds and heavy rain to the island.  Ragasa could also have caused a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters) along the coast of the island.

Typhoon Ragasa was still the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on Monday morning.  A circular eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) was at the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away in all directions from the typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the inflow of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  The balance of inflow and outflow of mass caused the surface pressure to remain nearly constant.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa was 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 28.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 63.4.  Typhoon Ragasa was similar in intensity to Hurricane Maria when Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.  Ragasa was bigger than Maria was.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment very favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Ragasa could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will be south of Hong Kong in 48 hours.

Typhoon Ragasa will continue to produce very strong winds and heavy rain in the Batanes Islands and to the Babuyan Island until it moves farther to the west of those islands.   Typhoon Ragasa is likely to cause catastrophic damage on those islands.  Typhoon Ragasa will also continue to cause strong winds and heavy rain in northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Neoguri weakened slightly far to the east of Japan.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 30.3°N and longitude 152.0°E which put the center about 825 miles (1330 km) east of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the northeast at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 950 mb.

Tropical Storm Narda Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Narda formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Narda was located at latitude 15.3°N and longitude 100.5°W which put the center about 180 miles (290 km) south-southeast of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.  Narda was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened on Sunday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Narda.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Narda was slowly becoming more organized.  Some thunderstorms began to develop near the center of Narda’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were starting to revolve around the center of Tropical Storm Narda.

The strongest winds were in the northern half of Tropical Storm Narda.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the northern side of Narda’s circulation.  The winds in the southern side of Tropical Storm Narda were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Narda will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Narda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is over northern Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Narda’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to stop intensification.  Tropical Storm Narda could intensify on Monday if the vertical wind shear does not increase.

Tropical Storm Narda will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Narda toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Narda will remain west of the coast of Mexico.

Gabrielle Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Gabrielle intensified to a hurricane southeast of Bermuda on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Gabrielle was located at latitude 28.5°N and longitude 61.7°W which put the center about 320 miles (515 km) southeast of Bermuda.  Gabrielle was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 992 mb.

NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft conducting research flights into former Tropical Storm Gabrielle found that Gabrielle had intensified to a hurricane on Sunday afternoon.

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Hurricane Gabrielle.  A small eye appeared on microwave satellite imagery at the center of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Gabrielle.  Storms near the center of Gabrielle generated more upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Hurricane Gabrielle.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the eastern side of Hurricane Gabrielle.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the western half of Gabrielle’s circulation.

Hurricane Gabrielle will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gabrielle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move in the region between an upper level low south of Bermuda and an upper level trough near the east coast of the U.S.  The upper level winds are weak between the upper level low and the upper level trough.  So, there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Gabrielle will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Gabrielle could intensify rapidly at times.

Hurricane Gabrielle will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gabrielle toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Gabrielle will pass east of Bermuda on Monday.  Gabrielle could approach the Azores by late next week.

Typhoon Ragasa Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Typhoon Ragasa intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Saturday night east of northern Luzon.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 18.5°N and longitude 125.8°E which put the center about 280 miles (455 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 922 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on Saturday night.  A small circular eye was at the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away in all directions from the typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 215 miles (345 km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa was 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 55.6.  Typhoon Ragasa was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Maria when Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment very favorable for a powerful typhoon during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Ragasa could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will be north of Luzon in 24 hours.

Typhoon Ragasa will bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the Batanes Islands and to the Babuyan Islands.  Ragasa could cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters).  Typhoon Ragasa could cause catastrophic damage on those islands.  Typhoon Ragasa will also cause strong winds and heavy rain in northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, powerful Typhoon Neoguri continued to spin far to the southeast of Japan.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 28.0°N and longitude 151.6°E which put the center about 880 miles (1420 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 936 mb.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle Strengthens

Tropical Storm Gabrielle strengthened on Saturday as it moved over the Atlantic Ocean southeast of Bermuda.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Gabrielle was located at latitude 25.6°N and longitude 59.0°W which put the center about 580 miles (935 km) southeast of Bermuda.  Gabrielle was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle strengthened on Saturday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Gabrielle’s circulation.  A small eye was visible intermittently at the center of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Gabrielle.  Bands in the southern and western parts of Gabrielle’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Gabrielle generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Gabrielle continued to be asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the eastern side of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles in the western side of Tropical Storm Gabrielle.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gabrielle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level low that is south of Bermuda.  The upper level low will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Gabrielle will intensify during the next 24 hours. Gabrielle is likely to strengthen to a hurricane on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gabrielle toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Gabrielle will pass east of Bermuda on Monday.  Gabrielle could approach the Azores by late next week.

Typhoon Ragasa Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Typhoon Ragasa rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of northern Luzon on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 128.4°E which put the center about 475 miles (765 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 957 mb.

Typhoon Ragasa rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane east of northern Luzon on Saturday.  A small circular eye was present at the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away in all directions from the typhoon.  The removal of large quantities of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) in the southern half of Typhoon Ragasa.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (265 km) in the northern side of Ragasa’s circulation.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Ragasa was 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 40.9.  Typhoon Ragasa was similar in intensity to Hurricane Rita when Rita hit southwest Louisiana in 2005.  Ragasa was not as large as Rita was.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Ragasa will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa could continue to intensify rapidly.  Typhoon Ragasa could strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Typhoon Ragasa will be north of Luzon in 48 hours.

Typhoon Ragasa will bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the Batanes Islands and to the Babuyan Islands.  Ragasa could cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters.  Typhoon Ragasa could cause catastrophic damage on those islands.  Typhoon Ragasa will also cause strong winds and heavy rain in northern Luzon.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Neoguri continued to strengthen southeast of Japan.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 26.5°N and longitude 154.5°E which put the center about 1100 miles (1775 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.

Ragasa Strengthens to Typhoon East of Luzon

Former Tropical Storm Ragasa strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean east of northern Luzon on Friday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Ragasa was located at latitude 16.52°N and longitude 129.3°E which put the center about 530 miles (855 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Ragasa strengthened to a typhoon east of northern Luzon on Friday night.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  A small circular eye formed at the center of Typhoon Ragasa.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Ragasa.  Storms near the center of Ragasa generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Typhoon Ragasa was large.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Ragasa’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (325 km) from the center of Typhoon Ragasa.

Typhoon Ragasa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Ragasa will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Ragasa could intensify rapidly at times.  Typhoon Ragasa is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Typhoon Ragasa will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ragasa toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Ragasa will move closer to northern Luzon.  The center of Typhoon Ragasa will be near northern Luzon in 48 hours.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Neoguri strengthened to a typhoon southeast of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Neoguri was located at latitude 25.7°N and longitude 156.4°E which put the center about 1210 miles (1950 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle Moves Southeast of Bermuda

Tropical Storm Gabrielle moved southeast of Bermuda on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Gabrielle was located at latitude 22.4°N and longitude 56.6°W which put the center about 850 miles (1360 km) southeast of Bermuda.  Gabrielle was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle started to exhibit more organization on Friday afternoon.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Gabrielle’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also developed in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Gabrielle.  Bands in the western side of Gabrielle still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Gabrielle continued to be asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) in the eastern side of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the western half of Gabrielle’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle will move into an environment that will become more favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gabrielle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level low that is south of Bermuda.  The upper level low will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Gabrielle will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Gabrielle is likely to strengthen to a hurricane during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gabrielle toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Gabrielle will make its closest approach to Bermuda on Monday.

Tropical Storm Mitag Brings Wind and Rain to Southeastern China

Tropical Storm Mitag brought wind and rain to southeastern China on Friday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Mitag was located at latitude 23.0°N and longitude 115.1°E which put the center about 85 miles (135 km) east-northeast of Hong Kong.  Mitag was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Mitag made landfall on the coast of southeastern China east of Hong Kong on Thursday night.  Mitag was bringing wind and rain to parts of Guangdong.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Mitag was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Mitag’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Mitag will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over China.  The high pressure system will steer Mitag toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Mitag will move inland over Guangdong.  The center of Mitag’s circulation will pass north of Hong Kong.

Tropical Storm Mitag will weaken gradually as it moves over southern China.  Mitag will continue to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Guangdong during the next 24 hours.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Ragasa moved slowly toward northern Luzon and Tropical Storm Neoguri strengthened southeast of Japan.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Ragasa was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 130.5°E which put the center about 620 miles (1000 km) east of Aparri, Philippines.  Ragasa was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 24.3°N and longitude 159.8°E which put the center about 1450 miles (2340 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle Spins over the Central Atlantic

Tropical Storm Gabrielle was spinning over the Central Atlantic Ocean on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Gabrielle was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 52.7°W which put the center about 700 miles (1125 km) east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands.  Gabrielle was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

The appearance of Tropical Storm Gabrielle did not change much on Thursday.  Gabrielle consisted of bands of showers and low clouds revolving around the center of circulation for much of Thursday.  New thunderstorms began to develop late Thursday afternoon in bands northeast of the center of Gabrielle’s circulation.  The bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Gabrielle still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Gabrielle was very asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 290 miles (465 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the southeastern and northwestern quadrants of Gabrielle.  The winds in the southwestern quadrant of Tropical Storm Gabrielle were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle will move through an environment that will be only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gabrielle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  However, an upper level low that is northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands will produce strong southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear will prevent significant intensification during the next 24 hours.  The wind shear is forecast to decrease during the weekend and Tropical Storm Gabrielle is likely to intensify when the shear decreases.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gabrielle toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Gabrielle will pass northeast of the Leeward Islands on Friday night.