From Struggling Storm to Hurricane: Gabrielle Intensifies in the Atlantic, Bermuda and U.S. East Coast Brace for Swells

From Struggling Storm to Hurricane: Gabrielle Intensifies in the Atlantic, Bermuda and U.S. East Coast Brace for SwellsFrom Struggling Storm to Hurricane: Gabrielle Intensifies in the Atlantic, Bermuda and U.S. East Coast Brace for Swells

From Silence to Storm

For much of September, the Atlantic was still. Nearly three weeks passed with no storms, an unusual break during the busiest part of hurricane season. That calm ended when Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed in the central Atlantic, becoming the first named system since Tropical Storm Fernand on August 23.

At first, Gabrielle had trouble building strength. Dry air limited thunderstorms around its center, and upper-level wind shear disrupted circulation. Despite warm ocean waters, the storm appeared disorganized.

Strengthening Near Bermuda

By September 21, Gabrielle had gained enough structure to be classified as a Category 1 hurricane, the second hurricane of the 2025 season. Sustained winds reached 75 mph, and the system tracked north-northwest at 10 mph, positioned about 320 miles southeast of Bermuda.

Forecasters expect further strengthening, with the possibility of Gabrielle reaching major hurricane status. The storm is projected to remain east of Bermuda, but outer rainbands and gusty winds are possible as it passes. More pressing is the danger from the sea: large swells and rip currents already building along the island’s shores.
Hurricane Gabrielle Becomes Second Hurricane of 2025 Season, Brings Dangerous Surf to Bermuda and U.S. East CoastHurricane Gabrielle Becomes Second Hurricane of 2025 Season, Brings Dangerous Surf to Bermuda and U.S. East Coast

Impact Along the East Coast

The hurricane’s influence is spreading far beyond Bermuda. Coastal areas from North Carolina north into Atlantic Canada are expected to see rough surf and life-threatening rip currents through the early part of the week. Even without landfall, the storm will disrupt beach and boating conditions along a wide stretch of the U.S. East Coast.

Season Update

Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of 2025. Until now, only Hurricane Erin had reached hurricane strength. The quiet start to September was notable, marking just the second time since 1950 that the basin remained storm-free from late August through mid-September.

This lack of activity was not tied to cool seas; water temperatures have remained above normal. Instead, dry air and persistent wind shear suppressed development across much of the Atlantic. With Gabrielle’s rise, conditions now appear more favorable for tropical systems.

Other Disturbances Developing

Beyond Gabrielle, attention is turning to other systems. In the Atlantic, a disturbance southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands may become a tropical depression as it moves northwest.

In the Pacific, another developing storm is positioned several hundred miles off the southern coast of Mexico. Forecasters say it could quickly organize, bringing heavy rainfall along the country’s coast through September 22.
Updated: Sep 22, 2025
Published by: Weather U.S. | About Us

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