Forecasters aren't expecting Gabrielle to have any direct impacts on the U.S., but it's the first named storm in the Atlantic in nearly three weeks.
* Colorado State University forecasters predicted activity will pick up over the next couple of weeks.
* Tropical Storm Gabrielle is expected to become a hurricane later this weekend or early next week.
* Extremely warm waters in the Gulf could lead to rapid intensification of any systems and little time to prepare.
Activity in the tropics is picking up after a quiet period during what is normally the peak of hurricane season.
Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed in the central Atlantic Sept. 17, becoming the first named storm since Fernand in late August.
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Gabrielle is expected to become a hurricane by early next week, after it moves out of an area of wind shear and dry air.
If it does become a hurricane, it'll be only the second of the Atlantic hurricane season, following Erin, which became a hurricane in the central Atlantic just over a month ago, on Aug. 15.
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring several tropical waves -- including two in the Caribbean -- and a tropical disturbance in the Atlantic with a low chance for development over the next seven days.
The next named storm of the season will be Humberto.
Here's the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center as of 11 a.m., Sept. 18:
Will Tropical Storm Gabrielle become a hurricane?
The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Gabrielle was struggling Sept. 18 as it encounters wind shear and dry air, but conditions are expected to change late this weekend or early next week.
Gabrielle is expected to become a hurricane by early next week.
Spaghetti models for Tropical Storm Gabrielle
Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.
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What other tropical waves, disturbances are in Atlantic basin now?
Tropical wave in eastern tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave is forecast to move off the west coast of Africa byFriday morning. Some slow development of this system is possible over the weekend through the middle of next week while it moves west-northwestward across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic.
* Formation chance through 48 hours: low, near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days: low, 20 percent.
Tropical waves being monitored by National Hurricane Center:
* A far eastern Atlantic tropical wave is near 27W from 19N southward across the western Cabo Verde Islands, moving west around 17 mph. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 14N to 17N between 25W and 29W.
* A eastern Caribbean Sea tropical wave is near 69W from 22N southward across eastern Hispaniola to northwestern Venezuela, moving west at 17 to 23 mph. Scattered moderate convection is occurring across Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and nearby waters.
* A western Caribbean Sea tropical wave is near 87W from 21N southward, moving west around 11 mph. With abundant tropical moisture, scattered showers and isolated strong thunderstorms are noted over the Gulf of Honduras, western Honduras, and Caribbean waters W of 80W.
What do the colored, hatched areas on the NOAA map mean?
The hatched areas on the National Hurricane Center's tropical outlook map indicate "areas where a tropical cyclone -- which could be a tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane -- could develop," said National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome.
The colors make it visibly clear how likely a system could develop, with yellow being low, orange medium, and red high.
The National Hurricane Center generally doesn't issue tropical advisories until there is a named storm, but there is an exception.
"If a system is near land and there is potential for development, the National Hurricane Center won't wait before it issues advisories, even if the system hasn't become an actual storm. This gives residents time to prepare," Rhome said.
Are any hurricanes coming to Florida?
Not at this time. Current models predict Tropical Storm Gabrielle will stay well east of Florida and the United States.
Residents in Bermuda were advised to closely monitor the storm, which is expected become a tropical storm later today and possibly a hurricane over the weekend.
It's too early to tell where the other tropical waves out there will go or who they will impact.
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Could Tropical Storm Gabrielle impact Florida?
While current predictions are for Gabrielle to stay well away from Florida and the U.S. east coast, it is possible there could be some indirect impacts from the tropical storm or hurricane.
"I think that if the storm is able to strengthen into a hurricane, which we currently have projected, we could see some beach issues next week, middle to end of next week, along the east coast. And that's anywhere from Florida all the way up to New England," according to Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert via email Sept. 17.
➤ Tropical Storm Gabrielle expected to strengthen into hurricane. What can Florida expect?
"That's something we're going to have to watch for. If the storm stays relatively weak, if it never gets to a hurricane, then we probably won't have any beach hazards, but if it really intensifies north of the Caribbean and becomes a hurricane, we do have to be concerned for some rip current risks along the east coast next week.
"It could be a beautiful sunny day at the beach, but even if there's a hurricane hundreds and hundreds of miles away, we can still see issues from rip currents," DaSilva said.
Colorado State University predicting season activity will pick up over next couple of weeks
In its latest two-week forecast for Sept. 17-30, Colorado State University forecasters predicted activity will pick up over the next couple of weeks.
"Global model ensembles are hinting at potential additional tropical cyclone development in one to two weeks in both the eastern/central Atlantic as well as the Gulf/western Caribbean.
"The primary threat formation area for major hurricanes in mid- to late September is in the eastern and central tropical Atlantic."
Watch out for any tropical activity in Gulf or western Caribbean
"I'm still concerned about the Gulf," DaSilva said.
"Those waters are still exceptionally warm, so I'm concerned that something might try to develop in the Western Caribbean or in the Gulf late this month. Those waters in the Caribbean and in the Gulf are very untouched. Really, nothing has gone through there. Hurricane season goes through the end of November, so there's going to be plenty of chances, I think, to see development in these areas, and that's why we don't want people to tune out."
Tropical development typically requires ocean temperatures of at least 80 degrees, according to AccuWeather. Portions of the Gulf and Caribbean are experiencing water temperatures well into the 80s to near 90.
"When tropical storms and hurricanes form in the western Caribbean or Gulf, there is much less preparation time compared to a similar system that forms over the Atlantic and heads toward Central America or the U.S.," AccuWeather said.
Forecasters urge all residents to keep an eye on the tropics and to always be prepared.
Officials regularly encourage Florida residents to prepare for storms before a hurricane is approaching, while shelves are fully stocked and you aren't battling crowds all rushing to the store at the same time.
"It only takes one storm to make it an impactful year for your community," the National Hurricane Center Miami posted on X.
➤ See list of emergency supplies you can now buy tax free
On Aug. 1, specific hurricane supplies became permanently tax-free in Florida, ranging from batteries to generators.
➤ Don't have a hurricane supply kit? From the basics to the extras, here's what you need
Here are some of the basics you should have:
* Water
* Non-perishable food
* Two-week supply of medications
* Batteries
* Flashlight
* Cash
* A go-bag with essential supplies in case you need to leave quickly
* Portable cellphone chargers
* Battery-operated radio
* List of emergency phone numbers, including those for family members
* Copy of your insurance policy
Florida weather radar for Sept. 18, 2025
Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
When is the Atlantic hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said.
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories.
When is the peak of hurricane season?
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.
Hurricane names for 2025 season
Here are the names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, along with how to pronounce them. The first hurricane of the season typically forms Aug. 11.
* (June 20)
* (June 29)
* (July 5)
* : (Aug. 3)
* : (Aug. 11; hurricane Aug. 15; major hurricane Aug. 16)
* : (Aug. 23)
* Gabrielle: ga-bree-ELL (Sept. 17)
* Humberto: oom-BAIR-toh
* Imelda: ee-MEHL-dah
* Jerry: JEHR-ee
* Karen: KAIR-ren
* Lorenzo: loh-REN-zoh
* Melissa: meh-LIH-suh
* Nestor: NES-tor
* Olga: OAL-guh
* Pablo: PAHB-lo
* Rebekah: reh-BEH-kuh
* Sebastien: se-BAS-tee-en
* Tanya: TAHN-yuh
* Van: van
* Wendy: WEN-dee
National Hurricane Center map: See what forecasters watching now
Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include:
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This story has been updated to include new information.