Hurricane Lee Grows Larger
Hurricane Lee is a Category 3 hurricane that has been continuously expanding in size, increasing the concerns for the areas of Bermuda and the US East Coast. The hurricane, which now has maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, was located approximately 515 miles south-southwest of Bermuda at the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
Lee’s growth has been detectable, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 125 miles from its center, and tropical storm-force winds reaching out 240 miles, marking a 55-mile increase within just 12 hours.
Expected Risks & Flow of Lee Hurricane
While Lee is expected to lose some intensity on its path over cooler waters churned up by Hurricane Franklin earlier in the month, it will simultaneously continue to increase in size and pick up speed. The expansion in size means an increase in the impact area, potentially affecting the Eastern Seaboard, even if it doesn’t make direct landfall. Consequently, areas along the northeastern US may experience potentially damaging wind gusts as Lee’s center is anticipated to remain a couple of hundred miles off the coast over the Atlantic Ocean. By Friday night, tropical storm-force wind gusts could reach portions of Connecticut and eastern Massachusetts when Lee’s center is about 250 miles to the southeast.
Hurricane #Lee Advisory 23: Lee Growing Larger But Maximum Sustained Winds Have Not Yet Increased. Hazardous Beach Conditions Expected to Spread Through the Western Atlantic During the Week. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 11, 2023
The exact timing and scope of Lee’s impact in the US and Canada still contain some uncertainty, pending its track. Nevertheless, regardless of its precise trajectory, the hurricane is expected to generate substantial waves along the East Coast throughout the week, leading to coastal erosion, perilous surf conditions, and life-threatening rip currents.
More about Lee Hurricane
Dangerous surf and rip currents have already been witnessed along the southeastern US coast, impacting regions from Florida to the Carolinas and extending to various islands in the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Bahamas. A high risk of rip currents remains in effect through at least Wednesday night for coastal areas from Florida northward to Massachusetts. So far this year, preliminary National Weather Service data has documented rip currents contributing to 71 fatalities in the US, including three deaths in New Jersey associated with the aftermath of Hurricane Franklin.
Hurricane Lee is anticipated to veer northward on Wednesday and accelerate its pace, making its closest approach to Bermuda from Thursday into Friday. The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a tropical storm watch, signaling possible tropical storm conditions for the island within the next 48 hours. During this period, Bermuda could experience tropical storm-force wind gusts and heavy rainfall, potentially leading to localized flash flooding.
As Lee’s journey continues, it underscores the significance of preparation and vigilance along the East Coast and Bermuda, emphasizing the need for residents and authorities to closely monitor developments and heed any official warnings and advisories. The hurricane’s trajectory will likely become clearer as it shifts northward on Wednesday, providing a more accurate picture of its potential impact. Meanwhile, the storm is estimated to affect various parts of the western Atlantic, promoting the importance of safety measures, particularly with respect to the risks of rip currents and rough seas.
