Lee becomes a powerful hurricane.

Hurricane Lee Expected to Intensify and Become First Category 5 Hurricane of the Atlantic Season

Hurricane Lee is set to make ⁢a powerful entrance as‌ it intensifies and becomes the first Category 5 hurricane of the Atlantic season, which lasts until‌ Nov. 30.

According ‌to meteorologists⁤ with the Weather Channel, as of 3:45 p.m. Thursday, the ‌hurricane was more than 800 miles east of the Leeward Islands. It is projected to head “north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend.”

Possible Impacts⁤ and Preparations

The storm is expected to have possible impacts on Bermuda, Atlantic‍ Canada, and parts ⁣of the⁣ East Coast, ⁢potentially‌ making landfall as far as Nova Scotia.

In ⁢anticipation of the storm, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has pre-deployed assets and is coordinating with local officials ​in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as stated by the⁢ Biden administration.

Unprecedented Intensification

Despite being the 12th named hurricane of the season, Hurricane Lee is likely ⁤to be the first Category 5 storm. This is a significant‌ event, as only 38 Atlantic hurricanes have reached Category 5 intensity in the past ‌100 years.

National Hurricane Center forecaster Dan Zelinsky highlighted the alarming rate of intensification observed in computer forecast models. This unusual phenomenon is attributed to the moist environment, rising ocean temperature, and minimal wind ‍shear.

For more information, click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.

Warnings and Precautions

Over the past century, 38 other Atlantic hurricanes have reached Category 5 intensity. The Weather Channel advises those along the Eastern Seaboard to avoid high ​surf and⁢ rip currents, as⁢ well as prepare for possible coastal ⁤flooding and beach erosion next week.

While residents in the‌ affected islands are encouraged to stay vigilant, no ⁤advisories have been issued at this time to shelter in⁣ place.

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