How strong will Hurricane Gabrielle get?
Hurricane Erin, which is the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season and has developed into a dangerous Category 4 hurricane, moves westward near Puerto Rico in a composite satellite image on Saturday. Cira/NOAA/Reuters
Tropical Storm Gabrielle is rapidly gaining strength in the Atlantic Ocean and is projected to reach hurricane status by Sunday evening, September 21, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
As of early Sunday, Gabrielle was positioned roughly 455 miles northeast of Bermuda, moving northwest at 9 mph with sustained winds reaching 65 mph. Forecasters warn that the storm could intensify into a Category 2 hurricane within hours, packing winds of up to 100 mph.
Although the storm is on track to bypass Bermuda to the east by Monday, September 22, residents are urged to remain vigilant. The NHC cautioned that strong winds, heavy rainfall, and hazardous surf conditions remain possible despite the reduced likelihood of a direct hit.
Swells generated by Gabrielle are already impacting Bermuda and are expected to build throughout the weekend, creating dangerous rip currents and life-threatening surf. Similar conditions are forecast along the U.S. East Coast from North Carolina through New England, extending into Atlantic Canada early next week.
Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season and, if upgraded, would become the second hurricane of the year. The system formed just after the seasonal peak, in what has otherwise been described as a relatively quiet hurricane season.
Meteorologists are also keeping an eye on other developing systems. A disturbance southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands could become a tropical depression as it tracks northwest across the Atlantic. Meanwhile, in the Pacific, forecasters are monitoring a tropical depression several hundred miles off Mexico’s southern coastline, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall into Monday as it drifts northwest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Where is Tropical Storm Gabrielle right now?
As of Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, Gabrielle was located about 455 miles off the coast of Bermuda, moving northwest at 9 mph with sustained winds of 65 mph.
2. Will Tropical Storm Gabrielle hit Bermuda?
Current forecasts suggest Gabrielle will pass east of Bermuda by Monday, Sept. 22. While the chances of a direct landfall are decreasing, Bermuda may still experience strong winds, heavy rain, and dangerous surf.
3. How strong will Gabrielle get?
The National Hurricane Center predicts Gabrielle could strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds near 100 mph within 12 hours of its last update.
4. Will Gabrielle affect the United States?
East Coast states from North Carolina to Atlantic Canada are expected to experience swells, rough surf, and rip currents beginning late Sunday and continuing into early next week.
5. Is Gabrielle the only storm being tracked?
No. The NHC is also monitoring a system in the central tropical Atlantic, southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, and a potential tropical depression off the southern coast of Mexico.
6. How does Gabrielle compare to other storms in the 2025 hurricane season?
Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and, if it strengthens as predicted, it would become the second hurricane of 2025.
