Gert is now a hurricane, and could increase in speed
Digital Reporter
Tuesday, August 15, 2017, 7:26 AM - Tropical cyclone Gert continued to strengthen on Tuesday, and was classified as a hurricane as it sustained winds of about 120 km/h.
On Tuesday morning, the storm was located about 725 km west of Bermuda, and was moving north at about 19 km/h. According to a public advisory by the National Hurricane Centre (NHC), Gert will begin to move northeast during the afternoon, and should continue to gather speed.
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After tropical cyclone Franklin, which focused on the east coast of Mexico, Gert is the second hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season.
To be considered a major hurricane, Gert would have to sustain average maximum surface winds of at least 177 km/h. Gert is currently considered a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale utilized by the NHC. By this classification, a Category 1 could "produce some damage," including to roofs, large branches, and power lines.
While it is expected to remain well offshore, swells generated by the cyclone could cause dangerous waves on the east coast of the United States, as well as Bermuda, over the next couple of days.
"These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," a NHC public advisory read on Tuesday.
Gert is the seventh named storm of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Check back for updates as we continue to track this system.
SOURCE: NHC
