Gabrielle escalated into a powerful major hurricane over the Atlantic on Monday, though forecasts indicate it will stay clear of land.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Center reported that Gabrielle’s maximum sustained winds surged to 120 mph (191 kph), elevating it to a formidable Category 3 hurricane.
The storm was positioned roughly 195 miles (314 kilometers) southeast of Bermuda, advancing northward at a speed of about 10 mph (16 kph).
Gabrielle reached Category 1 hurricane strength on Sunday before rapidly intensifying over the warm waters of the Atlantic. Its trajectory was carrying it safely east of Bermuda.
Swells generated by Gabrielle hit Bermuda on Sunday and were already affecting the U.S. East Coast, stretching from North Carolina up to Canada’s Atlantic shoreline. Forecasters warned that these powerful waves could trigger "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions."
This year’s Atlantic hurricane season has been relatively subdued, with Gabrielle marking only the second named hurricane in the region. Experts note several factors behind the quiet start, but caution that it does not rule out the development of dangerous storms later in the season.
The Atlantic hurricane season is set to conclude on November 30.
In the Pacific, Tropical Storm Narda formed offshore of Mexico on Sunday but posed no immediate threat to land.
The National Hurricane Center reported that Narda had maximum sustained winds of around 45 mph (72 kph) and was situated roughly 160 miles (258 kilometers) south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, moving west-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph). Forecasters indicated that Narda is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Tuesday.
Photo: This Satellite image provided by NOAA Hurricane Gabrielle on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.
