Hurricane Gabrielle Crosses The Atlantic Twice (RECAP)

Where Hurricane Gabrielle Is Biggest Threat

Gabrielle became the first active Atlantic tropical storm in 20 days, since Fernand was designated a post-tropical cyclone on August 28. Then, it also became the second hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Gabrielle was a long-duration system with its ties starting as a tropical wave from the coast of Africa in mid-September before strengthening near Bermuda, then returning to Europe and Africa two weeks later as a post-tropical system.

Storm recap

After a long battle with stronger wind shear and dry air as it crossed the Main Development Region of the tropical Atlantic, the storm moved into favorable conditions. In only 24 hours, the storm nearly doubled in strength from winds of 75 mph (Category 1 hurricane intensity) to a Category 4 storm with winds of 140 mph.

Gabrielle attempted to follow in Hurricane Erin's footsteps from earlier this summer, making the jump from tropical storm to Category 3 hurricane in 24 hours and from tropical storm to Category 4 in under 30 hours. The two storms both underwent massive rapid intensification, but they have been the only hurricanes so far for the 2025 Hurricane Season as of late September.

Fortunately, Gabrielle took a sharp dog-leg turn to the east, carrying it safely away from Bermuda and the U.S.

Peak sustained wind: 78 mph in Pico Santos de Cima, a mountain location on Sao Miguel Island

Peak gust: 115 mph on Serra St. Barbera, a mountain location on Terceira Island

Damage in the Azores and in Portugal was minor. Just gusty winds were reported in parts of southern Portugal.

Gabrielle was the first of several storms to form in the Atlantic after a slow start to September.