4 days ago
Hurricane Gabrielle formed Sunday in the open Atlantic south-east of Bermuda while Tropical Storm Narda emerged well off southern Mexico’s Pacific coast.
The Miami-based Hurricane Center (NHC) said Gabrielle became a category 1 hurricane after its top sustained winds rose to 75mph (120 km/h). Gabrielle was centered about 320 miles (515km) south-east of Bermuda and was moving to the north-north-west at 10mph.
The hurricane center said Gabrielle could become a major hurricane in the early part of this week as it is expected to undergo steady to rapid intensification over the next day or so. On the current forecast track, Gabrielle was expected to pass east of Bermuda on Monday.
A hurricane hunter aircraft found the storm at hurricane strength and moving on a more north-north-west track. But the center said a more northerly course was expected Monday. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect, but meteorologists urged interests in Bermuda to keep close watch.
Large ocean swells kicked up by Gabrielle are affecting Bermuda and are expected to reach the eastern seaboard from North Carolina northward into Atlantic Canada over the coming days.
In the Pacific, Narda emerged well offshore of Mexico on Sunday afternoon and posed no threat to land.
The hurricane center said Narda had top sustained winds of about 40mph and was positioned about 240 miles south-south-east of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, while moving to the northwest at 10 mph. The center says Narda could become a hurricane while heading further offshore.
