Special to Lake Okeechobee News
AccuWeather® Global Weather Center – Sept. 17, 2025 - After an unusually quiet stretch during the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, AccuWeather® hurricane experts say Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed Wednesday morning. Gabrielle may strengthen into a hurricane this weekend.
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“After navigating through hostile conditions in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Gabrielle was able to develop, despite disruptive wind shear and dry air in the area. This storm may intensify into a hurricane over the weekend,” AccuWeather® Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. “It started as a massive tropical wave that was roughly 1,000 miles wide. Larger waves like this typically take longer to develop and organize.”
- Tropical Storm Gabrielle is expected to move west-northwest over the next week. The storm is expected to gradually gain wind intensity and possibly reach hurricane intensity late this weekend.
- Gabrielle is forecast to pass north of the Caribbean islands and curve northward over the weekend, tracking east of Bermuda early next week.
- Interests in the northeastern Caribbean and Bermuda should closely monitor the progress of this storm, as any shift in its track could bring stronger wind and rain impacts late this week or the early to middle part of next week.
- Direct impacts to the U.S. are unlikely, but rough surf and dangerous rip currents will be possible along the East Coast during the middle to late portions of next week.
“Gabrielle is forecast to pass north of the Caribbean islands as it curves to the north over the weekend. At this time, we expect this storm to steer clear of the U.S. East Coast. Rough surf and rip currents are likely next week along beaches from the Caribbean and Florida to the Northeast,” DaSilva said. “People in Bermuda should be on high alert and closely monitor forecast updates. This storm is currently forecast to track east of Bermuda early next week, bringing some rain and wind to the islands.”
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Stormy End to September Expected in the Tropics
- AccuWeather® hurricane experts continue to monitor a low risk of tropical development in the central Atlantic from Sept. 19-22.
- Interests in the Caribbean should continue to monitor this tropical wave for possible impacts toward the end of September.
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“A tropical wave that pushed off the coast of Africa this week is struggling to organize. It is moving through an area with atmospheric conditions that are challenging for tropical development,” DaSilva explained. “AccuWeather will track this tropical wave closely as it moves west through the Atlantic main development region this week. People in the Caribbean and Greater Antilles should monitor forecast updates closely through the weekend.”
- AccuWeather® hurricane experts reduced the maximum number of named storms and hurricanes forecast to develop this year due to the unusual midseason lull.
- The AccuWeather® 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast now predicts 13-16 named storms and six to nine hurricanes.
- It is important to note that the forecast for three to six direct impacts on the U.S. has not changed, despite a slight lowering of the total number of storms and hurricanes.
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