Tropical Storm Gabrielle Reforms and Is Tracking To Develop by End of Week

Tropical Storm Gabrielle is making another run at forming this week, after petering out earlier in the month.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is tracking the development of a tropical wave swirling in the Atlantic. NHC is giving the system a high chance of developing into at least a tropical depression—or even Tropical Storm Gabrielle—by later this week.

This is the second time meteorologists have identified a storm with the potential to grow into a system strong enough to be named.

Just after Labor Day, another tropical wave developed southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, about 2,000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. However, it failed to reach tropical storm levels.

As of now, the system is moving through an area with dry, dusty Saharan air, according to FOX Weather, but by later this week, the system has the potential to move into a more favorable environment. Models their team has reviewed actually show the system strengthening into a hurricane, though if that were to happen, it would likely not be until next week.

The hurricane season so far

This season has already made headlines, with Hurricane Erin having caused significant damage in August.

Much like Gabrielle, Hurricane Erin started as a "tropical wave" while way out at sea. No sooner was it classified as a Tropical Storm than it was upgraded to Hurricane status. Then on Aug. 16, in just 24 hours, Hurricane Erin strengthened in its intensity from Category 1 to Category 5.

While still a significant storm that caused flooding along coastal towns from North Carolina to New Jersey, damage to homes and communities was minimal.

The 2025 hurricane season was predicted to be 'above normal'

The NOAA updated its 2025 hurricane season outlook—originally released in May—reaffirming its forecast for "above-normal" Atlantic hurricane activity before the season ends Nov. 30.

NOAA experts say the likelihood of a more intense-than-typical hurricane season is 50%, down from 60% in May.

The agency expects 13 to 18 named storms with winds of at least 39 mph, of which five to nine could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher. Of those, two to five could escalate to major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or more.

"As we witnessed last year with significant inland flooding from hurricanes Helene and Debby, the impacts of hurricanes can reach far beyond coastal communities," acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm said in a NOAA report.

A 2025 hurricane risk report by Cotality, a data-driven tech company, found more than 33.1 million residential properties—with a combined reconstruction cost value (RCV) of $11.7 trillion—are at moderate or greater risk of sustaining damage from hurricane-force winds.

Florida, Texas, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts are among the states with the highest number of homes and RCV at moderate or greater risk of hurricane wind damage.

How to prepare for a hurricane before it makes landfall

The best defense is early preparation. Experts often stress the importance of stocking water, nonperishable food, and a go-bag with essentials before June 1, the official start of hurricane season.

Insurance restrictions can complicate coverage once a storm nears. Securing policies and reviewing protection well ahead of time is critical.

Financial readiness also plays a role.

“An emergency savings buffer is vital to being ready to cover unexpected costs,” advises Melanie Musson, an insurance expert at Clearsurance.com.

Equally important is family planning. Evacuation routes and meeting points should be in place, with clear communication among household members.

When a storm is confirmed, homeowners should shift to protective measures.

“Board up windows, bring in outside items that could become flying projectiles, and stock up on extra fuel,” recommends meteorologist Rachael Gauthier, of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety in Charlotte, NC.