Meteorologists are closely watching the potential formation of Tropical Storm Gabrielle in the eastern Atlantic. Experts at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) have increased the probability to 60% that a tropical wave, located south of the Cabo Verde Islands, will develop into a cyclone within the next seven days. This update marks an increase from the 40% forecast the previous day.
If it intensifies, Gabrielle would become the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The forecast for cyclonic activity in the Atlantic basin was previously released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which projected between 13 and 19 named storms, up to 10 of which could reach hurricane status. The agency also anticipated between three and five major hurricanes.
In the NHC’s latest morning bulletin, the agency states that “environmental conditions appear favorable for the gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form by the middle or end of this week.”
The report states that the disturbance will move westward or northwestward at a speed of about 15 miles per hour toward the central and eastern Atlantic.
Authorities emphasize that a cyclone is “a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation.”
Expert voices, including Alex DaSilva, lead hurricane expert at AccuWeather, stated that “AccuWeather’s hurricane experts maintain a medium risk forecast for tropical development off the west coast of Africa in the second half of this week.
Key dates for potential development range between September 4 and 6.
DaSilva clarified that “due to large amounts of dry air, any development will likely be gradual, though there is a chance this system could strengthen into a hurricane by this weekend or early next week.”
Each season, tropical systems are classified into increasing levels: tropical depressions, with maximum sustained winds of up to 38 mph; tropical storms, with winds between 39 and 73 mph; and hurricanes, with winds of 74 mph or higher, according to the NHC protocol.
Meanwhile, in the Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kiko reached hurricane status on Tuesday, September 2, though no coastal watches or warnings have been issued for the region as of the latest NHC update.
Monitoring of the Atlantic remains active amid an already busy hurricane season. The NHC provides constant updates on its website and official social media channels to report any relevant changes in the storm’s status.
For now, experts continue to assess the behavior of the disturbance that could become Gabrielle and are closely tracking its potential westward path.
Image: Infobae
