Tropical Storm Gabrielle is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane as early as Saturday night, perhaps bringing life-threatening swells to Bermuda and the East Coast of the United States. As of 5 p.m. ET Saturday,the storm was located approximately 580 miles southeast of Bermuda,moving northwest with sustained winds of 65 mph.
while Gabrielle is currently predicted to bypass both Bermuda and the U.S. mainland, the National Hurricane Center warns of perilous surf and rip current conditions. This developing storm marks a slightly delayed start to the Atlantic hurricane season, with the second hurricane typically forming around August 26th. The season officially runs through November 30th.
According to the National Hurricane center’s 5 p.m. ET update, Gabrielle is expected to reach maximum sustained winds of up to 105 mph, classifying it as a Category 2 hurricane. Forecaster David Roth of the National Whether Service stated that Bermudans are not anticipated to experience a direct hit, but coudl encounter significant swells creating hazardous surf conditions.
Roth added, “They’ll notice there are some higher waves Tuesday. On sunday and Monday their easterly winds might increase some. But it doesn’t take much wind to produce rip currents.”
the National Hurricane Center also reports that swells from Gabrielle are expected to reach the East Coast north of north Carolina. After passing Bermuda, the storm is forecast to curve northeast toward the Azores.
Gabrielle would become the second Atlantic hurricane of the 2023 season.
National Hurricane Center/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
