Hurricane Lee’s Threat to New England and Atlantic Canada Growing
Hurricane Lee, a Category 3 storm, is gaining strength and poses a growing threat to New England and Atlantic Canada. The storm’s track is becoming more likely to move closer to the coast, and its massive wind field could reach these areas regardless of its final path. Currently, Hurricane Lee is about 460 miles south-southwest of Bermuda, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph.
The National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm warning for Bermuda as Lee approaches. The storm is expected to pass west of the island on Thursday and then approach the coast of New England or Atlantic Canada later in the week.
Although there is a possibility that Lee could weaken to a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday, its size and slow movement still make it a significant threat. The storm’s hurricane-force winds extend up to 115 miles from its center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 240 miles.
Forecasters at the hurricane center predict that Lee will remain a large and dangerous hurricane for the next couple of days, with some slow weakening expected. However, a weaker storm does not necessarily mean less hazard, as the larger size of Hurricane Lee increases the likelihood of impacting a more widespread area.
The exact timing and extent of Lee’s winds and rainfall for the US and Canada are still uncertain, but the storm’s track may become clearer on Thursday as it turns north and increases in forward speed. The northeastern US could experience high wind gusts by the end of the week, even with the storm’s core remaining hundreds of miles away. Eastern Canada and other parts of New England could also be impacted by high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge over the weekend.
Bermuda is already experiencing heavy rainfall and high surf, with the country’s weather service issuing a tropical storm warning. Swells from Lee are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Dangerous surf has also been observed along the southeastern US coast, with a high risk of rip currents for Georgia and South Carolina.
Several Caribbean islands, including the British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas, have already faced similar conditions as Lee passed to their north.
By Thursday night, Lee is expected to weaken to a Category 1 storm as its center makes its closest pass near Bermuda. Heavy rainfall may cause localized flash flooding in the area.
Residents and authorities in the affected regions are urged to stay updated on the progress of Hurricane Lee and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.