Hurricane Lee has intensified into a significant Category 5 storm with highest sustained winds of 160 mph as it spins across the Atlantic far east of the Caribbean, according to the National Hurricane Center in an 11 p.m. advisory. Thursday’s ET advisory.
Lee, which was a Category 1 hurricane earlier Thursday, has been rapidly developing in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, more than tripling its wind speeds in the last 24 hours.
The hurricane located approximately 700 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, according to the hurricane center’s 11 p.m. advisory.
The storm is projected to reach its peak intensity by this weekend and remain a hazardous hurricane over the southwestern Atlantic during the following week, while it is too early to tell whether this system will directly affect the US mainland.
Hurricane Lee to Travel North of Leewards Islands
According to the organization, dangerous surf and rip currents will sweep throughout the northern Caribbean on Friday and begin hitting the United States on Sunday.
The center of Lee is expected to travel to the north of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico over the weekend until early next week.
Over the weekend, several of these islands may experience tropical storm conditions, life-threatening waves, and rip currents.
Lee is expected to head north early next week, according to computer model trends. But when that turn happens, and how far west Lee can track by then, will determine how close it comes to the US.
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Atlantic High Pressure Affects Lee’s Turn Speed
The Bermuda High, an area of high pressure located in the Atlantic, will have a significant impact on how swiftly Lee turns.
The Bermuda High is forecast to continue quite strong through the weekend, keeping Lee on its present west-northwestward course and slowing it slightly.
As the high pressure system fades next week, Lee will be able to begin heading northward.
When Lee makes that turn toward the north, the positioning of the jet stream — powerful upper-level winds that can shift the direction of a hurricane’s path – will determine how close Lee gets to the US.
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