GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Atlantic is waking up again and there's a new storm to watch. Tropical Storm Gabrielle has formed as of 11AM Wednesday and is continuing to strengthen. The system is on track to become a hurricane by late this weekend into early next week.

While current forecasts keep the system well away from the U.S. East Coast , we know from past years that tropical systems can shift—and even distant storms can influence our weather pattern.

The storm is traveling over very warm Atlantic waters—plenty of fuel for a tropical system—and the upper-level winds around it are fairly light. Those two factors make it easier for thunderstorms to build around the center and help the storm organize.

What the Track Tells Us

Tropical Storm Gabrielle will keep tracking west-northwest for

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