Hurricane Gordon was a powerful tropical cyclone that affected the Azores as a hurricane, and then parts of western Europe as an extratropical cyclone. The eighth tropical storm, third hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season, Gordon formed on September 10 in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. It gradually matured into a hurricane as it tracked northward, reaching its peak intensity with winds of 195 km/h (121 mph) early on September 14 while located about 925 km (575 mi) southeast of Bermuda. After becoming nearly stationary, Gordon weakened to minimal hurricane status, although it re-intensified after accelerating to the east. It weakened again after moving over cooler waters, and passed through the Azores on September 20. Shortly thereafter, it became an extratropical cyclone and subsequently affected Spain, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Category 3 hurricane: peak winds of 120 mph (105 knots), lowest pressure 955 mb. September 10 – September 24, 2006. Accumulated cyclone energy: 22.2. Wiki link Track: NOAA National Hurricane Center, HURDAT2 best track AL082006 (public domain).