After a slow and remarkably quiet start to the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, a new sense of urgency is swirling off the coast of Africa. The likely formation of Tropical Storm Gabrielle, the seventh named storm of the season is a stark reminder that even a quiet opening chapter does not mean we can let our guard down. The time to prepare is now, not when the storm’s track is aimed directly at your coastline.
For weeks much of the tropical Atlantic has been dormant, a stark contrast to recent seasons that roared to life early. This has been a source of relief for many but it also fosters a dangerous sense of complacency. As meteorological models now point to a high probability of a new depression strengthening into Gabrielle, it shatters the illusion that the season’s quiet start is an indication of a calm finish. Climatologically we are entering the peak of the hurricane season, a period from mid-August through mid-October when conditions are most favorable for powerful storm development. The fact that the season is beginning to awaken right on cue is a testament to the powerful underlying forces that fuel these systems, regardless of the lull that preceded them.
While Gabrielle’s path and future intensity remain uncertain, its potential formation carries a significant message. The National Hurricane Center’s latest advisories are a call to action. It is a signal to revisit your hurricane preparedness plan, restock emergency supplies and review evacuation routes. History is filled with examples of seasons that started slowly but delivered devastating blows in September and October, such as Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 and Nicole in 2022. It only takes one storm to make a catastrophic impact.
The quiet days of June and July were a grace period, an opportunity to prepare without the pressure of a looming threat. Now that we are on the cusp of the season’s most active phase, there is no more time to wait. Whether Gabrielle’s final destination is open water or a coastal community, its development should serve as a wake-up call for everyone in the Atlantic basin. The time for vigilance is here and it will remain for the rest of the season.
