Hurricane Lee Expected to Rapidly Intensify, Potentially Becoming Strongest Atlantic Storm of the Year
CNN – The National Hurricane Center has reported that Hurricane Lee is expected to rapidly intensify in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday and could become a major storm by early Friday. The Category 1 storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, but it is predicted to reach near Category 5-strength as it approaches the eastern Caribbean.
Located approximately 965 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, Hurricane Lee is forecasted to reach its peak intensity this weekend. It is expected to remain a dangerous hurricane over the southwestern Atlantic early next week. However, there is increasing confidence that the storm will pass to the north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, although tropical storm conditions may still occur on some of these islands.
The approach of Hurricane Lee is also expected to generate swells that will reach portions of the Lesser Antilles on Friday, and the British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Bahamas, and Bermuda over the weekend. These swells are likely to create life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
While it is currently unclear whether Lee will directly impact the US mainland, dangerous surf and rip currents could threaten the Eastern Seaboard even if the hurricane stays off the coast.
Weather experts have highlighted that Lee had rapidly strengthened on Wednesday, with sustained winds increasing by 35 mph within 24 hours of forming as a tropical depression on Tuesday. The hurricane is predicted to reach Category 3 strength by Friday morning and could potentially reach Category 4 strength by Friday evening. Further rapid intensification is expected in the coming days due to favorable environmental conditions.
Jason Dunion, director of NOAA’s Hurricane Field Program, commented that “all the ingredients are in place for the storm to really intensify.” The Atlantic waters may not be as warm as those in the Gulf of Mexico, but they are still above normal for this time of year, providing an ideal environment for hurricane development.
Meteorologist David Zierden from Florida’s state climatologist stated, “To get to Category 4 or 5 intensity the environment has to be nearly perfect, which it looks like is the forecast for Lee.”
With a maximum forecast intensity of 150 mph, Lee would be equivalent to the strongest storm in the Atlantic basin this season. It would also be stronger than any storm in the eastern Pacific this year. If Lee surpasses 150 mph, it will become the most powerful hurricane in either basin this year and potentially reach Category 5.
As Lee continues to intensify, any shifts along its track as it nears the Leeward Islands could increase the threat of direct impacts such as heavy rainfall and strong winds. Residents of the eastern Caribbean, including the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola, as well as the Bahamas, are advised to closely monitor the forecast as the weekend approaches.
The ramping up of Lee’s intensity is occurring as the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season approaches, with Sunday, September 10, being the climatological peak. The 2023 Atlantic season is already above average for a number of metrics, including the number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes.
The threat of Hurricane Lee serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness during hurricane season, and individuals in potentially affected areas are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions.