As of 11 a.m. Saturday, Tropical Storm Gabrielle was located about 615 miles southeast of Bermuda, moving at 13 mph. The storm produced waves of 5–8 feet around its center on Friday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Gabrielle is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Sunday as it tracks east of Bermuda Sunday night and Monday. The system is forecast to remain well offshore, far from North Carolina and the U.S. East Coast, but its impacts are already being felt.
Rip Current Risk Along North Carolina Beaches
Swells generated by Gabrielle have begun to reach Bermuda and will continue building through the weekend. The NHC warns these swells will arrive along the North Carolina coast and northward late this weekend and early next week, creating life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Moderate Risk: Most of the North Carolina coast, including Wilmington and the southern Outer Banks, faces a moderate rip current risk Saturday and Sunday. Life-threatening rips may appear suddenly even for experienced swimmers.
High Risk: The northern Outer Banks, including Currituck Sound, Corolla and Carova Beach, are under a high risk of rip currents this weekend. The NHC advises swimmers of all skill levels to stay out of the water.
Beachgoers are urged to remain in shallow water and beware of strong surf that can knock them off their feet.
Atlantic Hurricane Season 2025 Update
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and runs through November 30. Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the season. The next named storm will be Humberto.
Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict 13–18 named storms this year, with 5–9 becoming hurricanes and 2–5 major hurricanes (winds of at least 111 mph). Erin was the first hurricane — and the first major hurricane — of the season.
