Two new tropical systems are on the horizon, with one potentially bringing impacts to the U.S. East Coast as the hurricane season ramps up.
Major Hurricane Gabrielle has strengthened into the second major hurricane of the season, brushing past Bermuda before it begins its journey across the Atlantic toward Spain. But as Gabrielle loses its tropical characteristics, AccuWeather meteorologists are closely monitoring two new tropical threats, one of which could impact the U.S. later this week.
Gabrielle underwent a period of rapid strengthening, increasing from a 65-mph tropical storm to a 140-mph Category 4 hurricane in just 22 hours. This rapid intensification, defined as an increase of at least 35 mph in 24 hours or less, marks the second time this season a storm has escalated so quickly, following Hurricane Erin which became a Category 5 in a similar timeframe.
While the eye of Gabrielle has passed to the east of Bermuda, AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva warns that “dangerous seas and surf” will continue to affect the islands. The storm’s powerful swells are also expected to reach the Atlantic beaches of the United States, bringing large waves, rough surf, and strong rip currents through the middle of the week.
Gabrielle is forecast to continue its northeastern track, passing near the Azores by the end of the week with wind gusts of 40-60 mph. The storm, which will be a tropical wind and rainstorm by the weekend, is expected to bring localized flooding to parts of Portugal, Spain, and southwestern France.
Back in the Atlantic, the focus is shifting to two new tropical waves. A tropical wave is an area of showers and thunderstorms that moves westward and can sometimes evolve into a tropical depression, storm, or hurricane.
The first of these waves is currently located to the east of the Lesser Antilles and has a medium chance of development. AccuWeather meteorologists are concerned about this system because steering currents could bring it close to the North Carolina coast this weekend, unleashing strong winds, heavy rain, and dangerous, erosive surf. The potential impacts could then extend to the mid-Atlantic and southeastern New England.
Further east, a second tropical wave is being monitored and has a high chance of developing in the coming days. Should this system strengthen instead of the first, it is more likely to be steered away from the U.S. and could become another concern for Bermuda by the weekend.
The appearance of these new threats signals a clear ramp-up in the 2025 hurricane season. While the peak may have arrived later than the historical average, the current activity, fueled by warm ocean waters, indicates that the tropics are now fully active, and more named storms are likely to emerge in the weeks to come.
READ: Powering Through Peril In Florida: Essential Generator Safety As Hurricane Season Looms
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