SAN JUAN
Major storm surges hit the northeastern Caribbean on Saturday as Lee continued to move through nearby open waters as a Category 3 hurricane.
The meteor, which is not expected to make landfall, was located about 620 kilometers (385 miles) east-northeast of the northern Windward Islands early Saturday. Maximum sustained winds were 115 mph (185 km/h) and moving west-northwest at a speed of 12 mph (19 km/h).
Earlier this week, Lee transformed from a Category 1 hurricane to a Category 5 hurricane in just one day due to warm waters and weak winds.
It is expected to pass well north of the northeastern Caribbean, a major relief for people from the British Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico who are still recovering from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017.
Tropical storm conditions were not expected on any islands in the region, but waves as high as 5 meters (15 feet) are expected in Puerto Rico and surrounding areas and authorities warned people to stay away from the sea.
Lakes are expected to reach a maximum height of 14 meters (45 feet) near the center, according to the National Hurricane Center. Much of the East Coast of the United States could be affected by dangerous surf and rip currents starting Sunday, but the full impact of the meteor is not known at this time, he added.
Lee could maintain its category next week and turn north on Wednesday, but its further development remains unclear.
Lee is the twelfth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30 and typically peaks in September.
Tropical Storm Margot became the 13th named storm after forming Thursday evening. As of early Saturday, it was 1,430 kilometers (890 miles) west-northwest of Cape Verde. It had winds of up to 75 km/h and was expected to reach hurricane status early next week. It was moving west-northwest at a speed of 20 km/h (13 mph) and was expected to remain in the open sea.
In the Pacific, Hurricane Jova moved over the open ocean off the southwest coast of Mexico and posed no threat to land. It was located 1,520 kilometers (945 miles) west of the Baja California Peninsula and was moving at a speed of 20 km/h (13 mph) west-northwesterly and wind speeds of up to 110 km/h (70 mph).
This story was originally published on September 9, 2023 at 7:54 am.