Tropical Storm Gabrielle forms over central Atlantic
Tropical Storm Gabrielle, the 7th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, formed over the central Atlantic at 15:00 UTC on September 17, 2025. The system is moving north-northwest and is forecast to intensify over the next several days.
Satellite image of Tropical Storm Gabrielle at 15:20 UTC on September 17, 2025. Credit: NOAA/GOES-East, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers
At the time of formation, the system was located about 1 745 km (1 085 miles) east of the northern Leeward Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 1006 hPa. The storm was moving north-northwest at 35 km/h (22 mph).
Tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 115 km (70 miles) northeast of the center, primarily in the eastern semicircle of the storm.
Gabrielle will continue moving generally north-northwest before turning northward from Saturday, September 20.
Gradual strengthening is expected, and the system could reach hurricane strength by Sunday, September 21, although forecast confidence decreases after three days. Average track errors are about 230–325 km (145–200 miles) on September 20 and 21, with intensity forecast errors of around 30 km/h (20 mph) per day.
No coastal watches or warnings are in effect, and Gabrielle currently poses no immediate land threat. Hazards include strong winds and rough seas along the projected path, particularly for marine operations.
Gabrielle is the first Atlantic named storm formation since Fernand on August 23. Since 1940, only one other Atlantic hurricane season (1992) had no named storm formations between August 24 and September 16, according to Dr. Philip Klotzbach of Colorado State University.
References:
1 Tropical Storm Gabrielle Public Advisory #2 – NWS/NHC – September 17, 2025
2 Tropical Storm Gabrielle Forecast Discussion #2 – NWS/NHC – September 17, 2025
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