Hurricane Lee strengthens, brings heavy swell to Caribbean.
Hurricane Lee Strengthens and Threatens Caribbean Islands
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—Hurricane Lee is causing havoc in the Caribbean as it gains strength and expands in size. The Category 3 storm, currently located northeast of the region, is unleashing heavy swell on several islands.
Unlike its predecessor, Hurricane Maria, Lee is not expected to make landfall. Instead, it is projected to remain over open waters throughout the week. As of late Sunday, Lee was centered about 310 miles north of the northern Leeward Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph and a northwest movement at 8 mph.
Last week, Lee rapidly intensified from a Category 1 storm to a Category 5 storm in just one day, causing concern among meteorologists.
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“We had the perfect conditions for a hurricane: warm waters and hardly any wind shear,” said Lee Ingles, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in San Juan.
Although Lee briefly weakened to a Category 2 hurricane on Saturday night, it has since regained strength. The National Hurricane Center predicts further strengthening followed by another weakening phase.
In addition to intensifying, Lee is also growing in size. Hurricane-force winds now extend up to 75 miles from the center, with tropical storm-force winds reaching up to 175 miles.
Puerto Rico and nearby islands are bracing for breaking waves of up to 20 feet, prompting authorities to issue warnings against entering the water. Coastal flooding is also expected along Puerto Rico’s north coast and the eastern portion of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
While dangerous surf and rip currents are anticipated along the U.S. East Coast, the full extent of Lee’s impact remains uncertain. The hurricane is projected to slow down significantly over the southwestern Atlantic, making it difficult to determine its future path.
As of now, Lee is expected to turn north by Wednesday, but its subsequent trajectory is still unclear. Regardless, the National Hurricane Center advises caution, as dangerous surf and rip currents are likely to affect most of the U.S. East Coast this week.
Lee is the 12th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1 and runs until November 30. Tropical Storm Margot, the 13th named storm, has also formed but poses no threat to land as it remains far out in the Atlantic.
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