Hurricane Gabrielle Forms As Category 1, Rapid Intensification Expected

According to forecasters, Tropical Storm Gabrielle developed Sunday afternoon into a hurricane, doing so in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of Bermuda.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) stated that the maximum sustained winds of the tropical storm have increased to 75 mph (120 kph), graduating it into Hurricane Gabrielle as a Category 1 storm.

When it formed, it was around 320 miles (515 kilometers) from Bermuda in the southeast direction, and at 10 mph (17 kph), headed north-northwest. (RELATED: Rare ‘Upside-Down Red Lightning’ Caught On Camera In Puerto Rico)

Per forecasters, Gabrielle intensified Sunday in the Atlantic southeast of Bermuda and was on the verge of forming into a hurricane.

As meteorologists were warning hours before Gabrielle’s official hurricane status about the storm strengthening into one, Gabrielle was recording maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph), only 10 mph (16 kph) away from achieving hurricane strength.

Sunday afternoon, the center of Gabrielle was around 390 miles (630 kilometers) from Bermuda and had a northwest track at 12 mph (19 kph), per the NHC. It’s expected that the next day, potentially two, will see rapid intensification.

9/21 5pm: #Gabrielle has strengthened to the 2nd hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The most significant threat is hazardous surf and rip currents at the beaches of #Bermuda, along the U.S. East coast from North Carolina northward, and Atlantic Canada. pic.twitter.com/Hq49nWxHPM

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 21, 2025

At the time of writing, the forecast track has Hurricane Gabrielle passing Bermuda on its eastern side Monday. Currently, no coastal watches or warnings have been put into place, however, meteorologists are urging people in Bermuda or who have connections to Bermuda to keep an eye on the storm as it progresses.

According to the NHC, the hurricane will kick up huge ocean swells that will have impacts on Bermuda, and over the next few days, it’s expected that the Category 1 storm will make it into the Eastern Seaboard from North Carolina and track north towards Atlantic Canada.