**Hurricane Lee downgraded to Category 3**
Hurricane Lee, which rapidly intensified to a Category 5 storm within 24 hours, has been downgraded to a Category 3, according to the National Hurricane Center. Despite the downgrade, forecasters predict that the storm could regain strength over the weekend and into next week.
The exact impact of Hurricane Lee on the US Atlantic seaboard is still uncertain. The National Hurricane Center states that it is “too soon to know” what potential impacts, if any, the storm could have. However, dangerous surf and rip currents are expected on Sunday and Monday, and these conditions could worsen throughout the coming week.
As of Saturday, Hurricane Lee was located approximately 400 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. Forecasters predict that the storm will pass north of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the northern Leeward Islands. However, life-threatening surf and rip conditions generated by the hurricane could still impact several areas including the British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, and Bermuda.
In another update, the National Hurricane Center reports that Hurricane Lee is maintaining its strength as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 115 mph. However, little change in strength is expected for the day, although gradual restrengthening is forecasted for Sunday and Monday.
This year has seen an unprecedented occurrence as Category 5 storms have formed in every tropical ocean basin within one year, breaking a historical record. Hurricane Lee’s rapid intensification to a Category 5 storm is attributed to the abnormally warm ocean temperatures around the world, as stated by University of Miami hurricane expert Brian McNoldy.
While Hurricane Lee could potentially graze the US East Coast, it is too early to determine its exact path. Nevertheless, the National Hurricane Center warns that dangerous surf and rip currents are expected along most of the US East Coast starting on Sunday.
Furthermore, Hurricane Lee is gaining elite status as it is expected to strengthen and reach winds of up to 180 mph. Only seven Atlantic hurricanes have had winds of that magnitude since 1966, making it a rare and powerful storm.
As Hurricane Lee continues to move across open ocean, it is still uncertain what impacts it will have. The National Hurricane Center emphasizes that it is “way too soon” to determine any potential impacts along the East Coast of the US. However, dangerous and life-threatening rip currents are already affecting parts of the Leeward Islands, and these conditions are expected to spread to other areas over the weekend.
In conclusion, Hurricane Lee’s downgrade to a Category 3 storm provides some relief, but forecasters warn that it could regain strength. Its potential impacts on the US Atlantic seaboard are still uncertain, but dangerous surf and rip currents are expected. The storm’s progression will continue to be monitored closely in the coming days.