National Hurricane Center Issues Urgent Updates as Hurricane Gabrielle Nears the Azores and New Tropical Threats Emerge

The National Hurricane Center is closely tracking a series of active systems in the Atlantic as the 2025 hurricane season intensifies. With Hurricane Gabrielle rapidly strengthening into a major storm, Tropical Storm Humberto gaining momentum offshore, and Invest 94L showing potential for development near the Caribbean, forecasters are issuing constant updates to keep coastal communities alert.

National Hurricane Center Monitoring Multiple Tropical Systems

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is responsible for issuing tropical cyclone advisories every six hours, with additional alerts when storms pose a direct risk to land. As of this week, three systems are under active surveillance:

• Hurricane Gabrielle, now a powerful Category 4 storm.

• Tropical Storm Humberto, steadily intensifying in the central Atlantic.

• Invest 94L, showing a high chance of tropical development near the Dominican Republic.

The NHC warns that while not all of these storms are expected to make landfall in the United States, their impacts in the form of dangerous surf, rip currents, and heavy rainfall could extend to several coastal regions.

Hurricane Gabrielle: A Category 4 Storm Threatening the Azores

Hurricane Gabrielle has intensified rapidly, with sustained winds reaching 140 mph. The storm is currently moving toward the Azores Islands, where a Hurricane Warning has been issued.

Key details about Hurricane Gabrielle:

Although Gabrielle is not expected to directly strike the U.S. East Coast, forecasters caution that swells will likely create hazardous conditions from North Carolina up to Atlantic Canada.

Tropical Storm Humberto: Strengthening but Staying Offshore

What began as Invest 93L has now evolved into Tropical Storm Humberto, positioned east-northeast of the Leeward Islands. The storm is forecast to steadily intensify while moving west-northwest.

The National Hurricane Center projects that Humberto will remain over open waters and avoid a U.S. landfall. However, strong winds and heavy seas may affect shipping lanes and cause turbulent surf along Atlantic shorelines.

Invest 94L: The Next Potential Tropical Cyclone

In addition to Gabrielle and Humberto, forecasters are closely watching Invest 94L, currently producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms near the Dominican Republic.

Forecast probabilities from the NHC:

• 48-hour development chance: 50%

• 7-day development chance: 90%

If Invest 94L strengthens further, it could become a named tropical storm by the end of the week. Heavy rainfall and localized flooding are possible across Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Forecast Challenges

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) supports the NHC with satellite data, hurricane hunter aircraft, and modeling tools. However, meteorologists have raised concerns over potential cuts to key microwave satellite observations, which play a vital role in detecting storm structure, especially during nighttime.

Experts warn that such reductions in observational data could lead to less accurate forecasts and reduced warning time for communities in harm’s way.

Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has already produced several named storms, and activity remains above average for this time of year. With Gabrielle’s current strength, Humberto’s development, and Invest 94L’s high potential, forecasters emphasize the importance of vigilance.

Key points to watch this week:

• Hurricane Gabrielle nearing the Azores with major storm conditions expected.

• Tropical Storm Humberto intensifying but remaining offshore.

• Invest 94L likely to become the next tropical storm, with risks to Caribbean islands.

The National Hurricane Center continues to update advisories multiple times per day, urging residents in vulnerable regions to monitor official forecasts and prepare for rapidly changing conditions.