Forecasters warned that although Hurricane Lee had lost some strength over the past day, the storm was expected to strengthen as it moved toward the southwest Atlantic.
Dangerous waves and rip currents along the majority of the US East Coast are beginning, which will worsen throughout the week.
At last report from the National Hurricane Center, sustained winds were around 105 mph, making the storm a Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Although the storm will remain far enough from the Caribbean Islands for any direct impact, dangerous waves and life-threatening rip currents are already hitting the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico.
These conditions will continue to spread to Hispaniola, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas and Bermuda in the coming days.
The US Coast Guard says sea conditions have deteriorated along Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, with 10-15 foot waves and life-threatening rip currents.
The agency said there are particular dangers for those boating, fishing, going to the beach or engaging in water sports there this weekend.
“We are concerned about people and boats who may underestimate the impact of this passing storm,” said Captain José E. Díaz, commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan (Puerto Rico). “A projected increase in sea conditions of 10 to 15 feet reduces our ability to respond to maritime distress by fully utilizing our resources.”
Hurricane Lee is expected to strengthen as it approaches the southwest Atlantic. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/REUTERS Circulation
Will Lee have any impact on the US East Coast?
Although Lee is expected to slow over the next few days in the Southwest Atlantic as the steering current diminishes, dangerous waves and rip currents have begun along much of the US East Coast and will continue for the next few days.
FOX Weather’s Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross noted that Lee is unlikely to be a direct threat to Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina, but the storm will generate high waves with strong waves that could cause damage along coastlines.
Hurricane Lee’s current forecast track. FOX Weather
Lee is now a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 mph.NOAA/GOES/AFP via Getty Images
Although computer models predict Lee will stay offshore of the East Coast, some indicate that the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast coasts may still feel the effects of the storm and monitoring future forecasts is recommended.
“It is still too early to know the extent of the impact, if any, Lee may have along the US East Coast, Atlantic Canada, or Bermuda late next week, especially as the hurricane is expected to slow significantly in the southwest Atlantic,” he said. NHC stated.
Hurricane Lee went from Category 1 to Category 5 in 24 hours
The storm experienced a rapid increase in extreme speed on Thursday, going from a Category 1 hurricane at 80 mph Wednesday night to a Category 5 monster at 165 mph just 24 hours later.
Lee is only the 13th Category 5 storm to form in the eastern Caribbean on record.
“When you see a storm wrapped up like that, then you know, you’ve got a storm in the upper echelon,” said FOX Hurricane Weather Specialist Bryan Norcross. “And it’s really one for the record books in a lot of ways. Thankfully, it’s not headed for land, at least there in the short term.”
Lee’s current location in the Atlantic Ocean. FOX Weather
The storm experienced wind shear on Friday, slightly weakening the storm and dropping it to a Category 3.
Lee was downgraded to a Category 2 storm on Saturday but is expected to re-energize into 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 west-northwest and has begun to slow in the southwest Atlantic where it is expected to regain its major status.
Strong winds are expected in the path of Hurricane Lee. FOX Weather
Track Lee’s predictions based on different models. FOX Weather
What is the forecast track for Hurricane Lee?
Hurricane Lee is expected to continue moving west-northwest over open waters in the southwest Atlantic in the coming days, remaining well east of the Bahamas early next week.
There are currently no watches or warnings in effect for any land.
Although Lee’s intensity decreased on Friday and early Saturday, forecasters said during the early work week, the hurricane could regain Category 4 status, if atmospheric conditions are conducive.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
