As reported by CNN
Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed in the central Atlantic, ending an anomalous nearly three-week lull in storms during the peak of the hurricane season.
Gabrielle appeared on Wednesday morning at a distance of just over 1,600 kilometers from the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean Sea. Sustained winds were around 50 miles per hour (about 80 km/h).
The National Hurricane Center expects Gabrielle to become a hurricane by Saturday, moving northwest. Despite the warm sea surface, the atmosphere over the coming days could hinder intensification, so the storm’s final strength remains uncertain.
The United States does not expect direct impacts from this system, but surfing waves could rise along the East Coast next week.
Seasonal Weather and Forecasts
Gabrielle became the first tropical storm in the Atlantic since the dissipation of the previous storm in August. Analysts note that the current period shows a rare lull in storm activity amid the typically busy August–September period and the start of autumn.
With the storm’s appearance, high pressure over the north will determine the track in the coming days: the storm will move west-northwest, then approach the islands of the eastern Caribbean region, notably Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, where elevated waves and hazardous sea conditions are expected.
Over time the pressure may weaken, shifting the track more to the north and allowing Gabrielle to move into the open Atlantic. In such a scenario, the risk to land decreases, but the likelihood of affecting Bermuda or the northeastern Atlantic next week increases.
Alongside Gabrielle, meteorologists are tracking two additional development zones: one near Cape Verde heading west, and another not yet appeared over the African continent. Neither of these zones presently threatens land in the near term, but they could bring local showers to Cape Verde in the coming days.
The Atlantic tropical formation season typically ramps up in August-September. This year the basin remains warm, supporting storm development, and sea temperatures are expected to stay above normal for much of the summer and into early autumn. Such conditions boost the potential for new tropical systems during September.
Weather conditions in the region underscore the importance of monitoring: even during temporary quiet periods in storm formation, tropical systems can change track and development speed. Residents of the Caribbean basin and the U.S. East Coast should monitor forecast updates and be prepared for possible changes to plans.
In sum, Gabrielle’s development will remain a key moment for weather forecasts in this part of the Atlantic over the coming days and week. Understanding the storm’s trajectory will help regions better prepare for future weather challenges in the autumn season.
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