Tropical Storm Gabrielle Poised to Strengthen, Pass East of Bermuda

Lead: Tropical Storm Gabrielle, centered about 530 mi northeast of the Leeward Islands, is moving northwestward at 13 mph with 50 mph winds and is forecast to become a hurricane by Sunday.

Nut Graf: Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center warn that Gabrielle’s gradual strengthening and recurvature could bring hurricane conditions east of Bermuda Sunday night and Monday, while dangerous surf and rip currents spread across the western Atlantic.

Storm Details At 5 a.m. AST Saturday, Gabrielle was located near 24.3° N, 58.1° W-approximately 855 km northeast of the Leeward Islands and 1 105 km southeast of Bermuda. Maximum sustained winds remain at 50 mph with higher gusts, and the storm’s center is moving northwest on a bearing of 315° at 13 mph.

Forecast Track and Intensity

• Gabrielle is expected to continue northwestward through tonight, then turn north-northwest Sunday and north by Sunday night.
• The center is forecast to pass east of Bermuda Sunday night and Monday.
• Gradual strengthening is anticipated, with Gabrielle reaching hurricane strength by Sunday and peaking near 105 mph by Tuesday, before beginning extratropical transition late next week.

Hazards and Warnings

• No coastal watches or warnings are currently in effect, but interests in Bermuda should monitor the storm.
• Swells generated by Gabrielle are already impacting Bermuda and will build through the weekend, posing life-threatening surf and rip current risks.

Preparedness Measures

• Mariners and coastal residents in Bermuda and the Leeward Islands should stay informed via official sources.
• Coastal areas along the U.S. East Coast may experience elevated waves and dangerous rip currents, even if the storm remains offshore.

Next Update The National Hurricane Center will issue its next full advisory at 11 a.m. AST Saturday.