The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has confirmed the development of Tropical Storm Gabrielle over the central Atlantic, though forecasters say it poses no immediate threat to land.

At 11 a.m. AST on Wednesday, the storm was centred near latitude 17.5°N and longitude 46.6°W, about 1,085 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands. Gabrielle is producing maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (72 km/h), with higher gusts, and is moving north-northwest at 22 mph (35 km/h).

Meteorologists expect the system to slow and take a more erratic track toward the northwest or west-northwest in the coming days, remaining over open waters. While no significant strengthening is anticipated in the short term, gradual intensification is possible over the weekend.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km) from the centre, mainly on the eastern side of the storm.

The NHC said no coastal watches or warnings are currently in effect.