National Hurricane Center Warns: Rapidly Intensifying Storm Eyes Gulf Coast

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is monitoring two significant systems in the Atlantic basin this morning: newly formed Tropical Storm Humberto and east-bound Hurricane Gabrielle. Tropical Storm Humberto: poised to become the next Atlantic hurricane • Location & strength: At 5 a.m. AST, Humberto’s center was near 21.2° N, 56.4° W with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (40 kt) and a minimum pressure of 1007 mb. • Forecast track: The storm is moving northwest at 10 mph and is expected to gradually curve north-northwest through the weekend, staying well east of the Lesser Antilles. • Intensification outlook: Warm sea-surface temperatures and low wind shear should allow steady strengthening—Humberto is forecast to reach hurricane status late Saturday and could become a major hurricane early next week. • Key impacts: Dangerous seas will spread across the open Atlantic shipping lanes. While no coastal watches are in effect, high surf and rip currents could reach Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast early next week. Hurricane Gabrielle: a powerful storm racing toward the Azores • Current status: Gabrielle remains a Category 1 hurricane with 85 mph (75 kt) winds as of 5 a.m. AST, centered near 36.5° N, 38.8° W and speeding east at 32 mph. • Track & timing: The hurricane will cross the central Atlantic today, then pass near or just north of the Azores on Friday as a strengthening cyclone before transitioning to a powerful post-tropical storm. • Potential hazards: The Azores should prepare for hurricane-force gusts, 3–5 inches of rainfall, and 15–25-ft surf Thursday night into Friday. Interests in Portugal’s mainland could see gale conditions and heavy rain late Saturday as Gabrielle races east. Why these storms matter September marks the historical peak of Atlantic hurricane season, and Humberto’s rapid organization underscores how quickly low-latitude waves can spin up over warm waters. At the same time, Gabrielle illustrates how mid-latitude systems can still pack hurricane-strength winds as they accelerate toward Europe. The dual storms highlight the need for constant vigilance from the National Hurricane Center, emergency managers, mariners, and coastal residents. Preparedness tips from NHC meteorologists • Double-check hurricane kits: water, non-perishable food, medications, chargers, and important documents. • Review evacuation zones and routes before any watches or warnings are issued. • Mariners in the central and western Atlantic should reroute to avoid Humberto’s developing hurricane-force wind field. • Residents of the Azores and coastal Portugal should secure loose items, clear drainage areas, and stay tuned to local meteorological services for updates. Outlook for the rest of the season Oceanic heat content across the Main Development Region remains above average, and an active October is favored. The NHC urges coastal communities from the Caribbean to New England and across the North Atlantic to stay hurricane-ready until the season officially ends on November 30. Stay connected Up-to-the-minute advisories, forecast cones, and key messages are posted every six hours at hurricanes.gov. For quick alerts, follow @NHC_Atlantic on X and NOAA Weather Radio.