Gabrielle rapidly intensifies into a Category 3 hurricane in the Atlantic

Hurricane Gabrielle has reached a new level of intensity as it moves through the central subtropical Atlantic, with meteorologists noting that the storm has swiftly intensified into a major hurricane (Category 3 or stronger).

Gabrielle marked its position as the second hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season on Sunday, following a period of organizational struggles and gradual strengthening.

While the National Hurricane Center (NHC) monitors the situation as the hurricane approaches Bermuda, there are additional areas of interest that may pose tropical threats in the upcoming days.

According to the latest NHC advisory, Hurricane Gabrielle has rapidly intensified and currently boasts maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, with higher gusts, qualifying it as a Category 3 hurricane.

Rapid intensification occurs when a tropical cyclone achieves a minimum increase of 35 mph in a 24-hour period.

The NHC predicts that Gabrielle could continue to strengthen as it passes east of Bermuda, potentially escalating to Category 4 status with winds at 130 mph before a decline in intensity is anticipated by Wednesday.

Currently, Hurricane Gabrielle is situated approximately 180 miles southeast of Bermuda and is tracking northward at 10 mph. This trajectory is expected to persist into Monday, transitioning to a quicker northeast or east-northeast path by Tuesday and Wednesday.

The NHC indicates that given the forecast track, Hurricane Gabrielle is likely to pass to the east of Bermuda.

Although a direct landfall is not anticipated on Bermuda, swells from Hurricane Gabrielle are projected to affect the island in the coming days, along with potential showers and gusty conditions.

These swells have already impacted the U.S. East Coast from North Carolina upwards, as well as Atlantic Canada, with expectations for continued effects into the week.

These swells are also likely to create hazardous surf conditions and rip currents at local beaches.

Increased Development Chances for New Areas in the Atlantic

There are two additional regions of concern for potential tropical development in the Atlantic.

A tropical wave located in the central tropical Atlantic Basin is currently generating showers and thunderstorms between the Lesser Antilles and the Cabo Verde Islands.

“Environmental conditions are forecast to become increasingly favorable for development tomorrow, with a tropical depression likely to form by mid to late week as the system moves west-northwestward across the central Atlantic,” reported the NHC.

Currently, the NHC gives this system a low immediate chance of development over the next couple of days, but a medium chance over the week.

Another tropical wave positioned to the east of the Lesser Antilles is also causing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

Environmental conditions seem to be marginally favorable for gradual development over the next few days as the wave progresses westward or west-northwest.

The NHC suggests that the system may slow and shift northwest by week’s end, and a tropical depression could form while it is over the southwestern Atlantic or near the Bahamas.

At this time, the NHC has classified this system with a low chance of development over the next two days and a medium chance for the upcoming week.