Hurricane Gabrielle, known asStorm Gabrielle while extratropical, was a powerfultropical cyclone that threatenedBermuda, and later affected theAzores as apost-tropical cyclone in September 2025. The seventhnamed storm, second hurricane, and secondmajor hurricane of the2025 Atlantic hurricane season, Gabrielle formed from a long-tracked tropical wave in the central Atlantic on 17 September. Due to dry air and wind shear that had stifled its development, the system was initially disorganized with an ill-defined center.[1][2] These same factors prevented further organization for multiple days following its formation.[3] Gabrielle intensified into a hurricane on 21 September as conditions became much more favorable, before itrapidly intensified the following day, peaking as a Category 4 hurricane east of Bermuda. After maintaining for a day, increasingly hostile factors such as dry air and wind shear caused weakening to commence, weakening to a tropical storm just west of the Azores early on 25 September, becomingextratropical later that day as it passed over the island chain. The remnants of Gabrielle gradually spun down until moving ashore on theIberian Peninsula on 28 September, dissipating later that day.
Although Gabrielle did not affect Bermuda directly, high swells produced by the hurricane still affected the islands as well as theEast Coast of the United States. Ahurricane warning was issued in advance of the storm in the Azores and multiple flights halted as a result, even though Gabrielle ultimately passed through as an extratropical cyclone. According toAon, damage from the storm totaled to more than US$11 million.[4]
On 11 September, atropical wave entered the far eastern Atlantic from Africa.[5] Though generating a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms as it moved across the ocean, dry and stable air stifled any potential for tropical development for several days.[1] The disturbancebecame better organized, and was dubbedTropical Depression Seven on 17 September midway betweenCabo Verde and theWindward Islands.[6][7] Despite having an ill-defined center with several embedded swirls, the system then strengthened into Tropical Storm Gabrielle as the center became more defined.[2][8] Gabrielle initially struggled to become better organized due to westerly wind shear and a continuous significant dry air entrainment. At the time, the storm was being steered west-northwestward by asubtropical ridge over the central Atlantic.[3] The storm's cloud pattern improved markedly on the afternoon of 19 September, as a curved convective band pattern started to form. At the same time, the low-level center became partly covered by clouds spreading westward from new bursts of convection.[9] The storm continued to become better organized on the morning of 20 September, as it began to strengthen with increased curved banding over the eastern semicircle.[10] By the morning of 21 September, cold convective cloud tops had begun to wrap around the circulation of the storm, and aneyewall was observed by anAir Force Reserve reconnaissance mission.[11]
Gabrielle strengthening into a major hurricane
Gabrielle strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane that afternoon, and within 24 hours rapidly intensified to a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h).[12][13] By the afternoon of 22 September,Hurricane Hunter aircraft reconnaissance found that Gabrielle had continued to intensify, attaining Category 4 status about 180 mi (290 km) east-southeast of Bermuda.[14] Gabrielle's sustained winds remained at that intensity into the morning of 23 September, while it turned east-northeastward.[15] Slowly increasing wind shear caused the system to weaken below major hurricane status in the following morning.[16][17] The system then weakened further over cooler waters as Gabrielle's intensity dropped to a Category 1 early on 25 September.[18][19] Most of its deep convection collapsed as further weakening occurred that afternoon while Gabrielle approached the Azores.[20] Gabrielle lost tropical characteristics and dropped below hurricane intensity later that day as it no longer had any deep convection and its low-level center became partially exposed.[21] Gabrielle's center moved over the Azores early on 26 September, as tropical-storm-force winds were recorded on multiple islands.[22] It was noted during this time that some deep convection redeveloped northeast of its center, likely due to anoccluded frontal boundary nearby.[23] Gabrielle finished its extratropical transition that afternoon while moving away from the Azores.[24]
Post-Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle near the Azores during the evening of September 25.
Ahurricane watch was issued for theAzores on 22 September, which was later upgraded to a warning on the 24 September.[30][26] TheIPMA issued orange and yellow alerts for all of the Azores.Flores andCorvo were placed under a red alert for precipitation.Terceira,Faial,Pico,São Jorge, andGraciosa were placed under a red alert for wind and rough seas.[31] Orange alerts were eventually issued for the eastern islands.[32] Schools and government buildings in the central and western Azores were closed for Gabrielle.[33] Ports inMadalena,Lajes, andHorta were closed.[34] The Regional Civil Protection Service organized rescue teams, medical units, and supplies in high-risk communities.[35]
Overall, Gabrielle inflicted generally minor damage in the Azores.[38]Serra de Santa Bárbara, located in the mountains of Terceira Island, reported wind gusts of 115 mph (185 km/h).[22] Sustained winds on Pico dos Santos de Cima, onSão Miguel, reported sustained winds of 78 mph (125 km/h).[39] The highest rate of rainfall was recorded of Graciosa at 21 millimeters (0.83 in) per hour.[40] Waves attained heights of 10 to 18 meters (33 to 59 ft).[41] Across the islands, trees fell, structures collapsed, and roofs were damaged.[42][43] Sixteen people were displaced due to Gabrielle including four on São Jorge, three on Faial, and one on Graciosa.[44][43][45] Anaerodrome on Graciosa was damaged, inhibiting flights.[46]
Strong winds from Gabrielle increased the wildfire risk inIberia.[45] Gabrielle brought windy and rainy conditions to the Iberian Peninsula. The south coast of the United Kingdom was plagued by rough seas.[47] Severe flooding occurred onIbiza, triggered by the remnants of Gabrielle.[48] Red flags were flown on Ibiza's beaches.[49] Those remnants would go on to cause flooding in Marche and Sicily, leaving one person missing and homes damaged.[4] Losses totaled to more than €10 million (US$11.7 million) in damage according toAon.[4]
^abJelsema, Jon (15 September 2025).Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved17 September 2025.
^abTaylor, Zack; Blake, Eric (17 September 2025).Tropical Storm Gabrielle Discussion Number 2 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved17 September 2025 – via Weather Prediction Center.
^abMullinax, Peter; Blake, Eric (18 September 2025).Tropical Storm Gabrielle Discussion Number 7 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved19 September 2025 – via Weather Prediction Center.
^Lamers, Alex; Blake, Eric (17 September 2025).Tropical Storm Gabrielle Discussion Number 3 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved17 September 2025 – via Weather Prediction Center.
^Papin, Philippe (23 September 2025).Hurricane Gabrielle Advisory Number 27 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved23 September 2025.
^Papin, Philippe (23 September 2025).Hurricane Gabrielle Advisory Number 28 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved24 September 2025.
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
Media related toHurricane Gabrielle (2025) at Wikimedia Commons
