Tropical Storm Gabrielle Forms in Atlantic, Forecasted to Strengthen

ORLANDO, Fla. — Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed Wednesday morning over the central Atlantic Ocean, becoming the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

As of the NHC’s 11 a.m. EDT advisory, Gabrielle was located about 1,085 miles east of the Caribbean’s northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, moving north-northwest at 14 mph. Forecasters predict the storm will remain over open waters for the next few days.

Nikki Nolan, a meteorologist at CBS News, reported that Gabrielle may strengthen into a low-grade hurricane by Sunday, especially as it approaches Bermuda early next week. A map from Nolan indicates that by Tuesday, the storm could potentially be packing hurricane-force winds.

“Little change in strength” is anticipated over the next 48 hours, with some gradual intensification likely by the weekend, according to NHC forecasts. As of Thursday evening, Gabrielle was approximately 700 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands, tracking west-northwest at a speed of 13 mph.

Tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 290 miles from the storm’s center. While Gabrielle may not immediately threaten land, it could impact Bermuda, which lies in its projected path.

This formation marks a break in a nearly three-week streak of no tropical cyclones during one of the most active times of the hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Experts noted that September historically sees the peak of hurricane activity.

The NHC noted that this year’s storm count remains low compared to previous years. Initial predictions had anticipated between 13 and 19 named storms for the season. As of now, Gabrielle is the only storm to develop after Tropical Storm Fernand at the end of August.

Climate experts have suggested that while this season has started slowly, it is still probable that a major hurricane will make landfall in the U.S. by the end of the season.