Tropical Storm Gabrielle is struggling in the central Atlantic Ocean currently but is expected to strengthen into a hurricane late this upcoming weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters said in an advisory on Sept. 18 that Gabrielle was located about 845 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph with higher gusts. The hurricane center said "little change in strength" is forecast during the next 48 hours, however some gradual intensification is forecast late in the weekend.

Gabrielle is moving west-northwest near 15 mph, and a west-northwest or northwest motion is expected during the next few days, forecasters said.

Gabrielle is the 7th named storm to form in the Atlantic basin this year. It's the first named storm in

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