Lee strengthens into Category 1 hurricane in Atlantic
Lee is in a very favorable environment for additional development and is forecast to become the season’s next major hurricane by Friday. the National Hurricane Center said.
Hurricane Lee is now roaring across the Atlantic Ocean as the storm continues to strengthen through the week and is on track to form into an “extremely dangerous” major cyclone.
Maximum winds have increased to at least 80 mph as of Thursday morning, and with favorable atmospheric and warm water conditions in place, the storm is expected to begin rapid intensification later Thursday, reaching at least Category 3 status by early Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm is expected to eventually reach at least Category 4 status by the weekend, perhaps even becoming a Category 5 storm.
“This storm is going to be a monster,” FOX Weather meteorologist Stephen Morgan said.
HURRICANE LEE LIVE TRACKER: SATELLITES SPAGHETTI COMPUTER MODELS, CONE OF CONCERN AND MORE
Will Lee have any impacts on the US East Coast?
By the weekend, Hurricane Lee is expected to bring gusty winds and rough seas to Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico.
Beyond the weekend, the hurricane is expected to pass north of the islands and into the southwest Atlantic.
FOX Weather hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross stated that Lee is not likely to be a direct threat to Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina, but the storm will generate high surf with powerful waves that may cause damage along the shorelines.
While computer models predict Lee will stay offshore, some indicate that the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast coasts may still feel effects from the storm and monitoring future forecasts is recommended.
WHAT IS THE ‘CONE OF UNCERTAINTY’ IN HURRICANE FORECASTS?
Where is Hurricane Lee?
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Lee is just under 1,000 miles to the east of the northern Leeward Islands.
The hurricane continues to head in a west-northwest heading in the general direction of the northeast Caribbean and southwest Atlantic.
Lee is forecast to reach major hurricane strength – defined as Category 3 or higher — by Friday afternoon. Over the weekend, winds could reach Category 4 or 5 strength.
“The atmospheric and oceanic conditions appear extremely favorable for rapid intensification during the next several days,” NHC forecasters said. “(Lee is) expected to rapidly intensify into an extremely dangerous hurricane by the weekend.”
HOW ARE HURRICANES RATED? THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE EXPLAINED
What is the forecast track for Hurricane Lee?
Hurricane Lee is expected to move west-northwest during the coming days and near the islands in the northeast Caribbean during the next 96 hours.
While the cyclone is forecast to pass north of the islands, its close proximity could force the issuance of watches over the next 48 hours.
A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when winds sustained 39 to 73 mph winds are possible within the next 48 hours.
A Hurricane Watch is issued when winds of at least 74 mph are possible within the next 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge and coastal flooding.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN A HURRICANE UNDERGOES ‘RAPID INTENSIFICATION’?
Tropical Storm Lee is expected to become a hurricane later Wednesday and is likely to rapidly intensify into an extremely dangerous major hurricane by Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said. (FOX Weather)
