Forecasters warn that while Hurricane Lee has lost some strength over the past day, the storm is expected to strengthen as it moves toward the southwest Atlantic.
Dangerous waves and rip currents are beginning along most of the US East Coast and will worsen throughout the week.
According to the latest report from the National Hurricane Center, winds sustained around 105 mph, making the storm a Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.
While the storm will remain far enough from the Caribbean islands to cause direct impacts, dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents are already hitting the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico.
These conditions will continue to extend to Hispaniola, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas and Bermuda over the next few days.
The U.S. Coast Guard says sea conditions have deteriorated along Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with 10- to 15-foot surf and life-threatening rip currents.
The agency says there are particular dangers for those boating, fishing, going to the beach or playing water sports there this weekend.
“We are concerned that people and boaters may underestimate the impacts of this passing storm,” said Capt. José E. Díaz, commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan, Puerto Rico. “The increase in projected sea states of 10 to 15 feet severely reduces our ability to respond to a maritime emergency with full use of our resources.”
Hurricane Lee is expected to strengthen as it approaches the southwest Atlantic. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/Handout REUTERS
Will Lee have any impact on the East Coast of the United States?
While Lee is expected to slow in the coming days in the southwest Atlantic as directive currents subside, dangerous surf and rip currents are beginning along much of the U.S. East Coast. .and will continue for the next few days.
FOX Weather hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross said Lee is not likely to be a direct threat to Florida, Georgia or South Carolina, but the storm will generate high surf with powerful waves that can cause damage along coasts.
Current forecast track of Hurricane Lee.FOX Weather
Lee is currently a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 mph.NOAA/GOES/AFP via Getty Images
While computer models predict Lee will remain off the East Coast, some indicate that the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast coasts may still feel the effects of the storm and it is recommended that future forecasts be monitored.
“It is still too early to know what level of impact, if any, Lee could have along the US East Coast, Atlantic Canada or Bermuda by the end of next week, especially as Hurricane significantly slow over the southwest Atlantic,” the report said. stated the NHC.
Hurricane Lee went from Category 1 to Category 5 in 24 hours
The storm underwent rapid intensification with extreme speed on Thursday, transforming from an 80 mph Category 1 hurricane on Wednesday night to a 165 mph Category 5 monster just 24 hours later.
Lee was only the 13th Category 5 storm recorded east of the Caribbean.
“When you see a storm like that, then you know you have an upper echelon storm,” said Bryan Norcross, FOX Weather hurricane specialist. “And this one has really gone down in the record books in a lot of ways. And fortunately, it is not headed for land, at least there in the short term.”
Lee’s current location in the Atlantic Ocean.FOX Weather
The storm suffered wind shear on Friday, which sapped some of its strength and reduced it to a Category 3.
Lee fell to a Category 2 storm on Saturday, but is expected to reactivate and become a major hurricane early next week as it slowly rotates in the southwest Atlantic.
Where is Hurricane Lee?
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Lee is located about 280 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands.
The hurricane continues to move in a west-northwest direction and has begun to slow over the southwest Atlantic, where it is expected to regain its main status.
Strong winds are expected to be experienced in the path of Hurricane Lee.FOX Weather
Lee’s predicted routes based on different models.FOX Weather
What is the expected path of Hurricane Lee?
Hurricane Lee is expected to continue moving west-northwest into open waters of the southwest Atlantic over the next few days, remaining well east of the Bahamas early next week.
There are currently no watches or warnings in effect for any landmass.
While Lee had decreased in intensity on Friday and early Saturday, forecasters say that during the beginning of the work week, the hurricane could regain Category 4 status, if atmospheric conditions are favorable.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn