The National Hurricane Center predicts Tropical Storm Lee to rapidly grow into a “extremely dangerous” major Category 4 hurricane by the weekend.
The Lee’s center was positioned in the Atlantic about 1,265 miles east-southeast of the Caribbean’s northern Leeward Islands at 5 a.m., moving west-northwest at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and higher gusts. It has tropical storm-force winds that extend for 80 miles.
“Continued steady to rapid strengthening is forecast, with Lee expected to become a hurricane later today and a major hurricane in a couple of days,” forecasters warned.
Already, the NHC has issued a warning that swells may hit parts of the Lesser Antilles on Friday. The possibility of severe surf and rip currents is expected to hit Florida as it comes closer to the Caribbean, but its five-day cone of uncertainty has drifted slightly north since Tuesday, making it less of a concern to the islands.
Long-term forecasts show it moving to the north and not approaching the US coast.
However, its size and severity are expected to be the highest in 2023, with continuous winds of 150 mph and gusts of 185 mph by Saturday. That puts it 7 mph short of Category 5.
The NHC is monitoring two other systems that have the potential to develop into the 13th or a depression, however those projections have been reduced slightly since Tuesday.
The first is a tropical wave that formed in the far eastern Atlantic off the west coast of Africa, bringing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.
“Environmental conditions appear favorable for the system’s gradual development, and a tropical depression could form later this week or this weekend.”
“The system will move west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph over the eastern tropical Atlantic this weekend,” forecasters warned. “This system is expected to pass over the Cape Verde Islands tonight and Thursday, and locals should keep an eye on its progress.”
It has a 30% chance of forming in the next two days and a 60% chance of forming in the following seven days, according to the NHC.
A few hundred miles east-northeast of the Azores, there is some scattered shower activity from what’s remains of Post-Tropical Cyclone Franklin.
“During the next day or two, this system may briefly acquire some subtropical or tropical characteristics as it moves northeastward or northward over the northeastern Atlantic,” forecasters warned. “Further development is not expected by late this week, as the system is expected to enter an unfavorable state.”
environmental conditions, which should weaken it.”
It has a 10% chance of forming in the next two to seven days, according to the NHC.
