Hurricane Gabrielle Rapidly Intensifies Into Major Category 3 Storm

Following rapid intensification Monday morning, Hurricane Gabrielle has been upgraded to a major Category 3 storm.

The tropical cyclone is continuing to strengthen while on the eastern side of Bermuda. Originally dealing with wind shear and dry air, Gabrielle is now prospering in warm Atlantic waters to become the second hurricane of 2025’s Atlantic hurricane season. It officially became a Category 1 system Sunday.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is currently tracking Gabrielle as it gets closer to Bermuda, doing so while keeping an eye on two other concerning areas that could potentially become tropical systems in the next few days. (RELATED: Rare ‘Upside-Down Red Lightning’ Caught On Camera In Puerto Rico)

Per the NHC’s latest advisory, Hurricane Gabrielle now has maximum sustained winds of 120 mph following rapid intensification, with some gusts hitting higher speeds to make it a Category 3 storm.

Rapid intensification takes place when the maximum sustained winds of a hurricane see an increase of at least 35 mph within 24 hours.

Hurricane #Gabrielle Advisory 22: Gabrielle Rapidly Intensifies Into a Major Hurricane Southeast of Bermuda. https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 22, 2025

According to the NHC, Hurricane Gabrielle could potentially become a Category 4 with 130 mph winds as it passes Bermuda. The weakening of the hurricane is expected to start Wednesday.

Gabrielle’s location is around 18o miles southeast of Bermuda and is headed north at 10 mph. Monday will continue to see that direction, and then Tuesday and Wednesday, the storm will move faster at a northeastward or east-northeastward track.

It’s not expected that the hurricane will make landfall in Bermuda, however, the island will be impacted by swells generated from Gabrielle that will last over the coming days. Bermuda could also experience gusty winds and showers.

The U.S. East Coast from North Carolina up is also experiencing swells, reaching all the way up to Atlantic Canada. The impacts will be felt throughout the week’s first half.

It’s expected that the swells will create life-threatening rip currents and surf conditions at beaches.