NHC Predicts Tropical Storm Gabrielle May Intensify into a Hurricane This Weekend

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)— Tropical Storm Gabrielle is expected to become a hurricane by Sunday, the National Hurricane Center announced.

Located about 595 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands, Gabrielle is moving toward the west-northwest at about 12 mph.

A gradual turn to the northwest is expected by tonight, followed by a north-northwestward motion by Saturday night.

The center of Gabrielle is expected to pass east of Bermuda on Sunday night and into Monday, the NHC said.

Maximum sustained winds are about 50 mph.

According to the NHC, gradual strengthening is expected, and Gabrielle is expected to become a hurricane by Sunday.

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

A tropical wave off the west coast of Africa is producing shower and thunderstorm activity, the NHC said.

Development of this system is possible through the middle to latter part of next week.

According to the NHC, development is possible as the system moves west-northwestward across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic.

The chance of formation in the next seven days is 20 percent.