Forecasters predict that Tropical Storm Gabrielle may develop into a hurricane by Sunday as it continues to gain intensity as it sweeps over the Atlantic Ocean.

The National Hurricane Center said in an update at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, that the storm, which was named Gabrielle on Sept. 17, is heading northwest at roughly 13 mph and is predicted to have attained hurricane status by the time it passes east of Bermuda starting Sunday night.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle

At roughly 9 mph, Gabrielle is heading toward the north-northwest, guided by high pressure over the central Atlantic. Over the next three days, the storm is predicted to progressively turn north and then northeast, remaining well east of Bermuda on Monday.

Although there is still some uncertainty on Gabrielle’s pace later this week, forecast models are still generally in agreement on this course.

With warm ocean waters and comparatively little wind shear, Gabrielle’s surroundings are ideal for strengthening. As a result, it is predicted that the storm will intensify into a hurricane later today.

To develop into a Hurricane

Prior to finally encountering cooler waters and stronger winds aloft, which will cause it to weaken later in the week, it may reach a peak with gusts close to 100 mph. Although the likelihood of a direct hit is declining for Bermuda, locals should keep checking the track for any changes. Rainfall and a few gusts of wind are still possible.

Off the western coast of Africa, the hurricane center is also monitoring a tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic that may develop gradually, according to forecasters. However, for the next seven days, forecasters gave it a low chance of forming.

In the Eastern Pacific, the hurricane center is also keeping an eye on two systems that have varying probabilities of becoming into tropical depressions in the next days.

Hurricane center

The NHC stated that a “broad area of low pressure,” which is causing a big area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms, is situated a few hundred miles south of the southern coast of Mexico and is expected to turn into a tropical depression.

According to the center, the system has a medium chance of forming over the next 48 hours and a high likelihood over the next seven days. It is now traveling west-northwest at 5 to 10 mph parallel to the nation’s coast.

Large swells will be sent across the Atlantic by the system even as Gabrielle remains out to sea. Early this week, dangerous surf and rip current conditions are predicted along the U.S. East Coast from the Carolinas northward and eventually into Atlantic Canada, as well as along the coast of Bermuda.