The strongest storm of the year so far has descended on the northern Philippines with destructive winds and torrential rain, prompting evacuations of thousands of people and preparations in nearby Hong Kong,

Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed Tuesday morning in the open central Atlantic, but it’s basically been a mess ever since. The lopsided system, which has been left ragged as it battles harsh mid-level winds,

As of Wednesday morning, Gabrielle was moving northwest at 14 mph and is expected to gradually turn north by the weekend.

Hurricane Erin has undergone a period of astonishingly rapid intensification — a phenomenon that has become far more common in recent years as the planet warms. It was a rare Category 5 on Saturday before weakening,