Hurricane Lee is strengthening into a Category 4 storm
With winds of 130 miles per hour, Hurricane Lee is now a Category 4 hurricane as it experiences rapid intensification. Lee is expected to continue gaining strength in the Atlantic.
Hurricane Lee is experiencing rapid intensification, reaching Category 4 status. It is expected to reach Category 5 “extremely dangerous” status – the peak of the Saffir-Simpson scale – on Friday.
Lee now has maximum wind speeds of at least 130 mph – an increase of 55 mph compared to just 24 hours ago.
“Today the thunderstorms hit the center, and once that happens, it’s like a well-oiled machine,” said FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross. “And now it’s good to sail over very warm waters with increasingly favorable atmospheric conditions.”
In fact, Lee isn’t finished strengthening and will likely become a Category 5 hurricane on Friday. It is forecast to remain a very strong severe hurricane through the weekend.
“This storm is going to be a monster,” said FOX Weather meteorologist Stephen Morgan.
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Will Lee have any impact on the US East Coast?
Hurricane Lee is expected to bring gusty winds and rough seas to the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico through the weekend.
Beyond the weekend, the hurricane is expected to move north of the islands into the southwest Atlantic.
FOX Weather hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross said Lee is unlikely to pose a direct threat to Florida, Georgia or South Carolina, but the storm will create high surf with strong waves that can cause damage along shorelines.
While computer models predict that leeward conditions will remain offshore, some suggest that the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast coasts may still feel the effects of the storm and it is recommended to keep an eye on future forecasts.
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Where is Hurricane Lee?
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Lee is located about 800 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands.
The hurricane continues to move west-northwest toward the northeast Caribbean and southwest Atlantic.
Based on the forecast route, winds could reach Category 5 force over the next 24 hours.
“Atmospheric and oceanic conditions appear extremely favorable for rapid intensification over the next few days,” NHC forecasters said.
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What is the forecast for Hurricane Lee?
Hurricane Lee is expected to move west-northwest in the coming days, approaching the islands in the northeast Caribbean Sea over the next 72 hours.
While the cyclone is expected to pass north of the islands, rough seas are expected in the immediate vicinity in the northern Leeward Islands which could cause coastal flooding.
There are currently no landmasses under surveillance or alerts.
A tropical storm warning will be issued if wind speeds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within the next 48 hours.
A hurricane warning will be issued if wind speeds of at least 74 miles per hour are possible within the next 48 hours. These winds can be accompanied by storm surges and coastal flooding.
What does it mean when a hurricane experiences “rapid intensification”?
Tropical Storm Lee is expected to become a hurricane later on Wednesday and is likely to rapidly progress into an extremely dangerous major hurricane by Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said. (FOX Weather)