**Tropical Storm Lee Expected to Become an “Extremely Dangerous” Hurricane by Weekend**
Tropical Storm Lee is rapidly intensifying and is expected to develop into an “extremely dangerous” hurricane by the weekend, according to forecasters. The storm, currently about 965 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, is moving towards the Caribbean islands with “life-threatening” conditions predicted to occur in the coming days.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Lee has maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour and is forecast to become a major hurricane by early Friday. The Leeward Islands, which include Puerto Rico, the US and British Virgin Islands, and Antigua and Barbuda, are expected to experience the effects of the storm.
While projections indicate that Hurricane Lee will not make landfall, it is projected to pass north of the British Virgin Islands, which are still recovering from the devastating hurricanes Maria and Irma that hit in September 2017.
Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist for AccuWeather, warned that Hurricane Lee has the potential to become a “powerhouse Category 5 hurricane,” making it the strongest hurricane of the year. The storm is moving over warm water and in a moist environment, which is contributing to its rapid intensification.
In addition to the threat of strong winds, forecasters are also warning of dangerous swells and rip currents. Large swells are likely to reach portions of the Lesser Antilles, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea, on Friday.
The intensification of Hurricane Lee and the threat it poses to the Caribbean islands come amidst a particularly active Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has already increased its forecasts for the number of storms and the activity of the season.
Record hot ocean temperatures and the presence of El Nino are contributing to the increased likelihood of severe hurricanes this summer and fall. The United Nations has confirmed that the summer of 2023 was the hottest on record for the northern hemisphere, with August being 1.5 degrees Celsius hotter than pre-industrial times.
As Hurricane Lee continues to approach the Leeward Islands, authorities and residents are urged to stay updated on the storm’s progress and take necessary precautions. The impacts of this potentially dangerous hurricane could further strain the recovery efforts in the region following the previous devastating hurricanes.
Sources:
– The Independent Climate
– National Hurricane Center
– AccuWeather
– National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
– United Nations