Hurricane Gabrielle, the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, has rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane, prompting warnings across Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast for life-threatening surf and rip currents. As of September 22, Gabrielle’s sustained winds reached 140 mph, making it one of the strongest storms of the season so far.
Current Location and Forecast Path
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Gabrielle was located approximately 195 miles southeast of Bermuda, moving north-northeast at 12 mph. The storm is expected to pass east of Bermuda on Monday night and continue toward the central Atlantic, weakening gradually by Wednesday, September 24.
Although Gabrielle is not forecast to make landfall in the United States, its outer bands are generating large swells and rip currents from North Carolina to Atlantic Canada, posing serious risks to beachgoers and coastal communities.
Storm Strength and Classification
Gabrielle’s rapid intensification over warm Atlantic waters has elevated it to a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with wind speeds exceeding 130 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend 40 miles from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds reach up to 140 miles.
This marks Gabrielle as the second major hurricane of the 2025 season, following Hurricane Erin in August. The storm’s development aligns with NOAA’s forecast of an above-average hurricane season, with up to 18 named storms predicted.
Coastal Impact and Safety Alerts
The NHC has issued rip current advisories for beaches along the U.S. East Coast, especially in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. Swells from Gabrielle are expected to continue through midweek, creating hazardous surf conditions.
Officials urge residents and tourists to:
✅ Avoid swimming in flagged areas
✅ Heed local weather alerts and lifeguard warnings
✅ Monitor updates from the National Weather Service
Other Systems in the Atlantic
In addition to Gabrielle, meteorologists are tracking four other tropical waves in the Atlantic Basin. Two systems near the Leeward Islands and Cabo Verde show potential for development later this week, though none pose immediate threats.
Hurricane Gabrielle is a powerful reminder of the volatility of the Atlantic hurricane season. While the storm may not make landfall, its impact on coastal safety is significant. Residents from Bermuda to New England should remain vigilant, follow official guidance, and prepare for rapidly changing conditions.
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