Wed Sep 17 11:20:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the text:

**Atlantic Awakens: Tropical Depression Seven Expected to Become Hurricane Gabrielle**

The Atlantic hurricane season, after an unusually quiet period, is showing signs of life with the formation of Tropical Depression Seven in the central Atlantic. The system is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Gabrielle by Wednesday afternoon, potentially becoming a hurricane by the weekend.

Located approximately 1,185 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, Tropical Depression Seven currently has sustained winds of 35 mph. The National Hurricane Center predicts a west-northwest track for the storm, taking it north of the eastern Caribbean islands. While the United States is not expected to experience direct impacts, the East Coast could see increased surf next week.

The formation of this system ends a nearly three-week lull in tropical activity, a rarity during the peak of hurricane season. According to hurricane expert Dr. Phil Klotzbach, this is only the second time since 1950 that the Atlantic has been storm-free from August 29 through September 16.

High pressure systems are expected to steer the storm on its initial path, with potential impacts including high surf and dangerous rip currents for islands like Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The weakening of this high pressure system will then allow the system to turn north into the central Atlantic, potentially heading towards Bermuda next week.

Meanwhile, another area of disturbed weather emerging from Africa is being monitored for potential development into a tropical system. The National Hurricane Center said that this system is not an imminent threat to land.

The season is still behind its typical pace, with the seventh tropical storm usually forming by September 3. Warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures are present across the Atlantic basin. Despite these favorable conditions, wind shear and dry air have been suppressing storm development for much of the season. As October approaches, the focus for storm formation shifts westward towards the Gulf, Caribbean, and western Atlantic, increasing the risk of land impacts.

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