Tropical Storm Lee is expected to become an “extremely dangerous” hurricane by the weekend
Hurricane Lee rapidly strengthened on Thursday as it moved toward the Caribbean islands, with “life-threatening” conditions expected to develop in the coming days.
Hurricane Lee is located about 965 miles (1,555 kilometers) east of the northern Leeward Islands, according to a 5 a.m. (ET) report from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph).
“Rapid intensification is expected to begin later today, and Lee is expected to become a major hurricane by early Friday,” the NHC reported.
The Leeward Islands are the name of the group of islands located where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean and include Puerto Rico, the US and British Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda.
Current forecasts are that Hurricane Lee will not make landfall but will pass north of the British Virgin Islands, which are still recovering from Hurricanes Maria and Irma in September 2017.
Lee is the twelfth storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.
Hurricane Lee: Latest Update
Hurricane Lee was about 870 miles (1,405 km) east of the northern Leeward Islands with winds of 105 mph (165 kph), according to the 11 a.m. (E) update from the National Weather Service.
Hurricane strength is expected to intensify rapidly during the day and evening.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km).
Waves from Hurricane Lee are expected to reach parts of the Lesser Antilles on Friday, and reach the British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Bahamas and Bermuda this weekend. These swells have the potential to cause life-threatening waves and rip through existing conditions.
Louise Boyle7 September 2023 at 18:47
Watch: Hurricane Lee is getting stronger fast
Hurricane Lee is rapidly intensifying as it heads toward the Caribbean
Louise Boyle7 September 2023 at 18:33
‘super normal’
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Be warned in August This year’s season will produce a higher than usual number of storms. Between 14 and 21 named storms are expected. The agency said that between six and 11 of these areas may turn into hurricanes, and two to five of them are likely to turn into major hurricanes.
Meanwhile, AccuWeather updated its forecast, forecasting three to five Category 3 hurricanes or stronger this season, compared to one to three in its previous analysis.
Louise Boyle7 September 2023 at 18:04
Puerto Rico meteorologists issue a warning
The National Weather Service office in San Juan issued a warning about an approaching Hurricane Lee on Thursday.
The hurricane is currently enduring winds of 80 miles per hour, but it is expected to increase. The hurricane will likely reach a Category 4 or 5 category.
Forecasts show the hurricane tracking north of Puerto Rico, the National Weather Service said, but the island still expects dangerous sea conditions, showers from the outer reaches, and gusty winds near strong showers.
Louise Boyle7 September 2023 at 17:13
Watch: Hurricane Lee will continue to intensify in the coming days
Hurricane Lee will continue to intensify in the coming days
Louise Boyle7 September 2023 at 16:50
Copy the current warnings
Waves from Hurricane Lee are expected to reach the British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Bahamas and Bermuda this weekend.
The fast-intensifying hurricane is expected to produce swells that will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Louise BoyleSeptember 7, 2023 at 16:30
Pictured: Hurricane Lee from space
Hurricane Lee was captured by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite on Thursday as it spun toward the Leeward Islands.
Hurricane Lee was seen via satellite as it was rotating toward the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean
(NOAA)
Louise BoyleSeptember 7, 2023 at 16:10
“potential power”
Hurricane Lee is shaping up to become an extremely dangerous hurricane, meteorologists warned Thursday.
“It has the potential to become a powerful Category 5 hurricane, the strongest hurricane of the year,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said.
It is expected to develop into an “extremely dangerous” major hurricane by early Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center, which noted that the storm was moving over very warm waters and in a wet environment.
Louise BoyleSeptember 7, 2023 at 15:45
Dangerous swells, rip currents expected
Big waves are likely to reach parts of the Lesser Antilles on Friday, according to meteorological forecasts.
The Lesser Antilles are a long arc of small islands in the Caribbean Sea extending from the British and US Virgin Islands to Grenada.
Map of the Caribbean with details including the Lesser Antilles
(Mino Hoagland/Creative Commons)
Louise BoyleSeptember 7, 2023 at 15:10
Watch: Typhoon Lee expected to be ‘extremely dangerous’
Typhoon Lee expected to be ‘extremely dangerous’
Louise BoyleSeptember 7, 2023 at 14:45
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