Former Tropical Storm Lee intensified to a hurricane over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Northern Leeward Islands on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 14.9°N and longitude 46.4°W which put it about 1130 miles (1815 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Lee was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Lee rapidly intensified to a hurricane on Wednesday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Lee’s circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in the inner end of the rainband. An eye was forming at the center of Hurricane Lee. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Lee will intensify during the next 48 hours. Lee could strengthen to a major hurricane on Friday.

Hurricane Lee will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lee toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Lee could be northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands by Friday night.