Tropical Storm Gabrielle forms, breaking a lull in the hurricane season

By JUDSON JONES

Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed over the Central Atlantic on Wednesday, ending an extended quiet period during what is normally the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Here’s what you need to know:

— With the storm currently spinning harmlessly out at sea, no warning or watches have been issued. That could change in the coming days if the storm gets closer to land.

— Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which got off to a slow start. But forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said they expected an above-average season, with up to 18 total named storms by the time it ends in November. A typical season has 14 named storms. This season, only one, Erin, has become a hurricane so far.

— The Trump administration has slashed the number of employees at many of the agencies traditionally responsible for planning for and responding to natural disasters, including NOAA, the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. So far, it is unclear how those cuts might affect the accuracy of forecasts.