In brief
Hurricane Gabrielle, now a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, is moving away from land and remains approximately 195 miles southeast of Bermuda. Forecasts indicate life-threatening surf conditions along the U.S. East Coast as swells from the storm reach the area. Despite a relatively quiet Atlantic hurricane season, experts warn that more dangerous systems could still develop before the season's end on November 30.
MIAMI (AP) — Gabrielle strengthened into a major hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday but was forecast to remain away from land.The Miami-based National Hurricane Center reported that Gabrielle’s maximum sustained winds have reached 120 mph (191 kph), categorizing it as a dangerous Category 3 hurricane. Currently located about 195 miles (314 kilometers) southeast of Bermuda, the storm is moving north at around 10 mph (16 kph).Gabrielle had initially been a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday before strengthening due to warm Atlantic waters. Its trajectory keeps it east of Bermuda, although swells from the storm began affecting Bermuda on Sunday and are projected to have an impact along the U.S. East Coast, stretching from North Carolina up to Canada’s Atlantic coastline. Forecasters caution that these swells may lead to life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.This year’s Atlantic hurricane season has been largely quiet, with Gabrielle marking only the second named hurricane so far. Experts attribute the calmness to several factors but caution that the season isn't over and the risk of dangerous storms remains through the end of November.In the Pacific, Tropical Storm Narda formed off the coast of Mexico on Sunday, though it poses no immediate threat to land. Narda has sustained winds of about 45 mph (72 kph) and is situated 160 miles (258 kilometers) south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, moving west-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph). The hurricane center projected that Narda may develop into a hurricane by Tuesday.
