Hurricane Lee Strengthens and Poses Potential Threat to Bermuda and Eastern Seaboard
CNN – The National Hurricane Center has reported that Hurricane Lee, currently a Category 3 hurricane, has grown in size and triggered a tropical storm watch for Bermuda. The cyclone’s potential impacts are beginning to come into focus not only for Bermuda but also for the Eastern Seaboard of the United States.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Hurricane Lee was centered about 535 miles south of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. The storm has been growing in size since the weekend, with hurricane-force winds now extending 125 miles from its center. Tropical storm-force winds extend 240 miles from its core.
Although Hurricane Lee is expected to lose some intensity on Wednesday and Thursday as it moves over cooler waters, it will simultaneously continue to grow in size and speed. This means that even if its winds no longer reach monster hurricane levels, a larger Hurricane Lee could still impact a more widespread area, including the Eastern Seaboard.
Tropical storm-force winds from Lee could extend over 300 miles from its center later in the week, potentially causing damaging wind gusts for portions of the northeastern US. Even if the center of the hurricane stays a couple hundred miles off the coast, big waves, coastal erosion, dangerous surf, and life-threatening rip currents are expected to affect a growing area of the East Coast throughout the week.
The exact timing and extent of Lee’s winds and rainfall in the US and Canada may still fluctuate, but a better understanding of the hurricane’s track is expected once it turns to the north on Wednesday. Regardless, it is important for coastal areas from Florida to Massachusetts to be aware of the potential risks and take necessary precautions.
Bermuda, in particular, is expected to experience strong winds, heavy rain, and dangerous surf and rip currents as Hurricane Lee makes its closest approach to the island on Thursday and Friday. The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a tropical storm watch for the island, indicating that tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.
As the hurricane approaches, residents and visitors in Bermuda should be prepared for tropical storm-force wind gusts, heavy rainfall that may cause localized flash flooding, and hazardous waves. Additionally, the eastern US coast should remain vigilant and stay updated on the progress of Hurricane Lee as it continues to develop and move northward.