Hurricane Lee Strengthens to Category 3, Threatens US East Coast
Hurricane Lee has regained strength, reaching Category 3 status with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, according to satellite pictures and data from a hurricane hunter plane. The storm, which has experienced fluctuations in intensity over the open Atlantic, is expected to become a dangerous Category 4 hurricane by late Sunday or early Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The National Hurricane Center warned of dangerous surf and rip currents that have already begun to affect portions of the southeast United States East Coast and are expected to worsen and spread northward over the next few days. Forecasters also expect Lee to slow down as it moves well north of Puerto Rico, the British and US Virgin Islands, and the northern Leeward Islands. However, the storm is still expected to impact these areas as well as other Caribbean islands.
It is still too early to determine the potential long-term track of Hurricane Lee and the extent of its impacts on northeastern US states, Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada later this week. However, forecasters predict that Lee will eventually turn north and move between Bermuda and the US East Coast late in the week.
The East Coast is already preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Lee by bracing for large swells and rip currents, similar to what the Caribbean is currently experiencing.
The National Hurricane Center also warned of the swells generated by Hurricane Lee affecting portions of the Lesser Antilles, the British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. These swells, along with life-threatening surf and rip conditions, can be expected over the weekend.
Beach erosion and coastal flooding are also possible as a result of the storm. Waves breaking at 6 to 10 feet were forecasted for Sunday, and larger waves are expected along east- and north-facing beaches this week.
Hurricane Lee was centered around 285 miles north-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, moving west-northwest at 8 mph. The storm had previously intensified from a Category 1 to a Category 5 hurricane within a day before weakening due to vertical wind shear and an eyewall replacement cycle.
The potential track of Hurricane Lee next week will be determined by several atmospheric factors, including the Bermuda High and the jet stream. A strong Bermuda High would keep Lee on its current west-northwestward track, while a weakening high pressure system and the position of the jet stream will influence how closely Lee approaches the US. If the jet stream sets up along the East Coast, it would prevent Lee from approaching the coast but could bring the storm closer to Bermuda. However, if the high pressure system remains robust and the jet stream sets up farther inland over the Eastern US, portions of the East Coast, particularly north of the Carolinas, could be at risk of a closer approach from Lee.
As Hurricane Lee continues to develop and its track becomes more defined, residents along the US East Coast are urged to closely monitor the storm and follow any evacuation orders or safety recommendations issued by local authorities.