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ORLANDO, Fla. - The National Hurricane Center is monitoring Tropical Storm Gabrielle, which could become a hurricane, and two other disturbances for potential tropical development in the Atlantic.
Gabrielle becomes the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs through November 30, 2025. The sudden activity in the tropics comes shortly after the "peak" of the season has passed (Sept. 10) but during the most active months of the season – typically August, September, and October.
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Tracking Tropical Storm Gabrielle
What we know:
As of 11 a.m., Tropical Storm Gabrielle, formerly known as Tropical Depression Seven and Invest 92L, was roughly 1,085 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands. It is moving north-northwest at 22 mph, the NHC said.
Sustained winds were 45 mph. Minimum central pressure was 1006 mb.
"An erratic northwestward to west-northwestward motion at a reduced forward speed is anticipated across the tropical and subtropical central Atlantic during the next few days," the NHC said.
While little change in strength is expected over the next couple of days, some intensification is expected over the weekend. According to forecast models, Gabrielle could reach Category 1 hurricane status by Sunday morning, the NHC said.
Gabrielle is expected to stay east of Florida and the eastern United States.
2 disturbances in the Atlantic
The National Hurricane Center is also monitoring two disturbances in the Atlantic — both east of Tropical Storm Gabrielle – for potential tropical development.
Both have low chances of development over the next 7 days, the NHC said.
One tropical wave is near the Cabo Verde Islands and is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. "
Environmental conditions are only marginally conducive, and any development of this system should be slow to occur while it moves westward at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central portion of the tropical Atlantic," the NHC said.
A second tropical wave is expected to move off the coast of Africa by Friday. Some slow development is possible as it moves west-northwestward across the eastern tropical Atlantic.
What's the difference between a tropical storm and a tropical depression?
Dig deeper:
Hurricanes begin as cyclones, and if the system intensifies, it becomes a tropical wave, then a tropical depression, followed by a tropical storm and, eventually, a hurricane.
When a low pressure area is accompanied by thunderstorms producing a circular wind flow with maximum sustained winds below 39 mph, the system is designated a tropical depression.
If the cyclonic circulation becomes more organized with maximum sustained wind gusts between 39 mph and 73 mph, a tropical storm is formed.
A tropical storm has winds near the center and is symmetrical, while a subtropical storm has winds far from the center and is less symmetrical. A tropical storm is fueled by warm water, while a subtropical storm is fueled by warm water and cold air.