In brief
Gabrielle has strengthened into a major Category 3 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean. Currently located southeast of Bermuda, the storm is moving north but is forecasted to remain away from land. Meanwhile, swells generated by the storm are impacting the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda, leading to dangerous surf conditions. This year's Atlantic hurricane season has been relatively calm, with Gabrielle being only the second named storm so far.
MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Gabrielle has morphed into a major category 3 storm in the Atlantic Ocean as of Monday, with maximum sustained winds recorded at 120 mph (191 kph). The Miami-based National Hurricane Center indicates its current location to be approximately 195 miles (314 kilometers) southeast of Bermuda, moving northward at about 10 mph (16 kph).Having started the weekend as a Category 1 hurricane, Gabrielle intensified due to the warm waters of the Atlantic. Forecasters affirm that the storm’s trajectory will keep it clear of land, specifically moving east of Bermuda.However, the storm's swells have already begun to affect Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast, producing dangerous surf and rip current conditions from North Carolina to Canada’s Atlantic coast.So far, the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season has been quite uneventful, with Gabrielle being only the second named hurricane to form. While experts note several reasons for the subdued activity this year, they caution that the potential remains for more dangerous systems to develop before the hurricane season concludes on November 30.In related updates from the Pacific, Tropical Storm Narda formed offshore of Mexico, with winds reaching 45 mph (72 kph). Currently located about 160 miles (258 kilometers) south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, it is advancing west-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph) and is forecasted to evolve into a hurricane by Tuesday.
