In brief
As Tropical Storm Narda gains strength in the eastern Pacific, it is expected to intensify further without posing a direct threat to coastal regions. Concurrently, Hurricane Gabrielle has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane, with the possibility of becoming a major hurricane soon, affecting the Bermuda area with hazardous ocean swells.
MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Narda has formed in offshore waters of the eastern Pacific south of Mexico.
Narda had top sustained winds of 40 mph (60 kph) and was centered Sunday afternoon about 240 miles (390 kilometers) south-southeast of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami reported that Narda is moving to the north-northwest at 10 mph (17 kph).
Forecasts indicate that Narda could strengthen over the next 48 hours, with the potential to reach hurricane status by Tuesday. Fortunately, the storm is anticipated to remain offshore, and currently, there are no coastal watches or warnings in place.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Gabrielle, which formed earlier this week, has now strengthened into a hurricane. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center stated that Gabrielle's maximum sustained winds increased to 75 mph (120 kph) by Sunday afternoon, officially categorizing it as a Category 1 hurricane.
The storm is currently located about 320 miles (515 kilometers) southeast of Bermuda and is also moving to the north-northwest at 10 mph (17 kph).
Forecasts suggest Gabrielle might undergo further intensification in the coming days and could become a major hurricane. As it tracks towards Bermuda, meteorologists have urged residents to stay vigilant as large ocean swells generated by Gabrielle begin to affect the shores of Bermuda and extend towards the Eastern Seaboard into Atlantic Canada.
With Gabrielle, hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (40.2 kilometers) from the storm’s center while tropical-storm force winds reach up to 175 miles (280 kilometers). The storm's current trajectory indicates it will pass east of Bermuda on Monday.
