Hurricane Gabrielle strengthens to Category 4, sets sights on Azores

Hurricane Gabrielle, a powerful Category 4 storm, is intensifying in the Atlantic and is projected to make landfall in the Azores later this week. Meanwhile, other tropical systems are being monitored for potential development.

23 sept 2025 - 16:55 • 2 min read

Hurricane Gabrielle has intensified into a powerful Category 4 storm over the Atlantic, packing sustained winds of up to 220 kilometers per hour (140 mph) as it moves northeast. The storm is currently located east of Bermuda and is expected to reach the Azores archipelago later this week.

The government of the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, has issued a hurricane watch as Gabrielle tracks toward the islands. Forecasters anticipate Gabrielle will approach the Azores late Thursday, though it is expected to weaken gradually into a tropical storm after passing over the islands by Friday.

Gabrielle has undergone significant strengthening, with its winds increasing by 40 mph from Monday morning. While it initially moved northwest and then north toward Bermuda, the storm shifted course eastward on Monday. Although Gabrielle is expected to weaken, authorities are maintaining vigilance over its trajectory and potential impacts.

Beyond Gabrielle, other tropical systems are being closely monitored in the Atlantic. One disturbance, identified as Invest 93L, is situated about 1,000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles and shows signs of organization, with a 90% probability of developing into a tropical depression within the next seven days. Another system, Invest 94L, located east of the Windward Islands, is generating disorganized rain and thunderstorms, with a potential for slow strengthening later in the week.

Forecasters note that the approach of a cold front towards the southeastern United States and northern Bahamas could potentially steer these systems away from the coast. However, parts of Florida could still be affected if the weather patterns shift.

The current hurricane season, which extends until November, has already seen significant activity. Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the season. Last month, Hurricane Erin reached Category 5 strength with 160-mph winds.

Residents in vulnerable coastal areas are advised to stay informed about the latest weather updates and advisories. In addition to Atlantic activity, climate specialists are considering the potential influence of La Niña on weather patterns in the Northern Hemisphere, which could lead to drier and slightly warmer winters in Central Florida. This, combined with anomalous warmth in the North Pacific, could contribute to significant variations in tropical and winter weather patterns in the coming months.