Gabrielle becomes at Category 4 hurricane and forecasters advise Azores to take notice
MIAMI (AP) — People in the Azores archipelago were advised Monday to monitor the progress of Hurricane Gabrielle which is now a Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean, the National Hurricane Center said.
Gabrielle had maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 kph) on Monday afternoon as it skirted to the east-southeast of Bermuda, according to a hurricane center advisory. It was centered 180 miles (290 kilometers) away from Bermuda and moving to the north-northeast at 12 mph (19 kph).
The major hurricane was still over 2,000 miles (3,230 kilometers) west of the Azores, however forecasters project that the system will continue to the north and east over the next several days. The hurricane could approach the islands by the end of the week.
Forecasters said in the advisory that little change in wind strength was expected from Gabrielle on Monday night, and the system could weaken gradually on Tuesday and Wednesday. The system was also expected to increase its forward speed over the next two days.


