 Vertical wind shear decreased as the storm passed over the Gulf Stream , allowing a strong convective burst to develop near the center . As it approached the coast of North Carolina , the center re @-@ developed within the deep convection underneath the mid @-@ level circulation , although increased northerly wind shear displaced the center of Gabrielle to the north of the thunderstorm activity . Based on reports from Hurricane Hunters , it is estimated Gabrielle moved ashore at Cape Lookout National Seashore at 1530 UTC on September 9 with winds of 60 mph ( 95 km / h ) , though due to the shear the strongest winds remained offshore . Tracking around the ridge over the western Atlantic , the storm turned to the north and north @-@ northeast , emerging into the ocean near Kill Devil Hills , North Carolina early on September 10 as a poorly organized system with convection far to the south of the center . Gabrielle weakened to a tropical depression shortly thereafter , and maintained scattered convection despite unfavorable wind shear as it tracked along the northern portion of the Gulf Stream . By midday on September 11 , the circulation had become ill @-@ defined and elongated ; failing to meet the criteria of a tropical cyclone , the National Hurricane Center declared Gabrielle dissipating well to the south of Nova Scotia . By early the next day , the remnants of Gabrielle were absorbed by an approaching cold front . 
