Tropical Storm Gaston crossed the Azores

Tropical Storm Gaston crossed this weekend over the western islands of the Portuguese archipelago the Azores in the Atlantic without causing any damage with maximum sustained winds of near 65 mph (100 kph) with higher gusts, according to the Portuguese authorities, informs AFP.

"There were no casualties and no damage" following the passage of the storm Gaston, according to the head of civil protection in the Azores. The storm head towards on Saturday morning at more than 150 kilometers from the archipelago in the northeast. Located 1,500 kilometers west of Lisbon, the Azores are an important tourist destination.

The third hurricane of the season in the North Atlantic, Gaston recorded wind speeds of up to 195 km / h and was initially located 925 kilometers away from Bermuda. Weakening is forecast during the next 36 hours, and Gaston is expected to become a remnant low on Saturday. The estimated minimum central pressure is 992 millibars.

The hurricane season, which runs typically from 1 June to 30 November in the North, began this year in an unusual way, as the Azores had already experienced a Tropical Storm this year when Alex formed 5 months before the official start of the season and crossed the islands on January 14th.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, anticipated for this year a number of 10 to 16 major storms in this region, but recently raised the forecast to 12 to 17 tropical storms, of which five to eight will turn into hurricanes. Earl, the second hurricane of the season in the Atlantic coast, killed 45 people in Mexico, in early August, AFP reminds.