Gabrielle strengthens into Cat. 3 hurricane; 2nd major hurricane of season

Hurricane Gabrielle formed Sunday in the open Atlantic southeast of Bermuda, while Tropical Storm Narda emerged well off southern Mexico's Pacific coast.

National Hurricane Center said Gabrielle became a Category 3 hurricane Monday morning after its top sustained winds rose to 120 mph (120 kph). Gabrielle was centered some 195 miles southeast of Bermuda.

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This makes Gabrielle the second major hurricane of the season and may intensify more. On the current forecast track, Gabrielle was expected to pass east of Bermuda on Monday night.

A hurricane hunter aircraft found the storm at hurricane strength and moving on a more north-northwest track. But the center said Sunday a more northerly course was expected Monday. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect, but meteorologists urged interests in Bermuda to keep close watch.

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Large ocean swells kicked up by Gabrielle are impacting Bermuda and are expected to reach the Eastern Seaboard from North Carolina northward into Atlantic Canada over the coming days.

In the Pacific, Narda emerged well offshore of Mexico on Sunday afternoon and posed no threat to land.

The hurricane center said Sunday Narda had top sustained winds of about 40 mph (65 kph) and was positioned about 240 miles (386 kilometers) south-southeast of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, while moving to the northwest at 10 mph (17 kph). The center says Narda could become a hurricane while heading further offshore.

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