Tropical Storm Gabrielle moved southeast of Bermuda on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Gabrielle was located at latitude 22.4°N and longitude 56.6°W which put the center about 850 miles (1360 km) southeast of Bermuda.  Gabrielle was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle started to exhibit more organization on Friday afternoon.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Gabrielle’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also developed in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Gabrielle.  Bands in the western side of Gabrielle still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Gabrielle continued to be asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) in the eastern side of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the western half of Gabrielle’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle will move into an environment that will become more favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gabrielle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level low that is south of Bermuda.  The upper level low will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Gabrielle’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Gabrielle will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Gabrielle is likely to strengthen to a hurricane during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gabrielle toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Gabrielle will make its closest approach to Bermuda on Monday.