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Hurricane Lee Prompts Watches for Northeast U.S.

The risk posed by Hurricane Lee prompted the issuance of a Hurricane Watch and a Tropical Storm Watch for a portion of the Northeast U.S. on Wednesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 27.4°N and longitude 67.6°W which put it about 380 miles (610 km) south-southwest of Bermuda. Lee was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Stonington, Maine to the U.S./Canada border. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Bermuda. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Watch Hill, Rhode Island to Stonington, Maine. The Tropical Storm Watch included Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

Hurricane Lee weakened a little on Wednesday, but Lee remained a large and powerful hurricane. A circular eye with a diameter of 36 miles (50 km) was at the center of Lee’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Lee. Storms near the center of Lee’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

Hurricane Lee was still a very large hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 28.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 46.0. Hurricane Lee was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Frances when Frances hit Southeast Florida in 2004.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment that will become more unfavorable for a major hurricane during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. An upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lee’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase on Thursday. Hurricane Lee will move over cooler water later on Thursday. The combination of more vertical wind shear and cooler water will cause Hurricane Lee to weaken gradually during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Lee will move around the western part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lee toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lee will pass west of Bermuda on Thursday evening. Bands in the eastern side of Lee’s circulation will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Bermuda on Thursday.

Hurricane Lee could be east of Cape Cod by Saturday morning. Lee will affect Maine and Nova Scotia later on Saturday. Hurricane Lee could be in the middle of a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Saturday. Lee will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of the Northeast U.S. and Nova Scotia. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in come locations. The winds blowing around the northern side of Hurricane Lee will push water toward the coast. A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Margot was spinning over the Central Atlantic. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Margot was located at latitude 34.7°N and longitude 40.6°W which put it about 790 miles (1270 km) west-southwest of the Azores. Margot was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 971 mb.

Hurricane Lee Prompts Tropical Storm Watch for Bermuda

The potential effects of Hurricane Lee prompted the issuance of a Tropical Storm Watch for Bermuda on Tuesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 24.7°N and longitude 66.4°W which put it about 530 miles (860 km) south of Bermuda. Lee was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (215 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 946 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Bermuda.

Hurricane Lee completed an eyewall replacement cycle on Tuesday. A large eye with a diameter of 45 miles (75 km) was at the center of Lee’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the center of Hurricane Lee. Storms near the center of Lee’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Lee increased on Tuesday after the eyewall replacement cycle. Winds to hurricane force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 240 miles (390 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 36.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 56.8. Hurricane Lee was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Ivan when Ivan hit the Gulf Coast in 2004.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 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. The large size of the circulation around Hurricane Lee could limit changes of intensity during the next 24 hours. Lee could intensify a little on Wednesday. An upper level trough over the Great Lakes will cause the vertical wind shear to increase later this week.

Hurricane Lee will move around the western part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lee toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lee will move south-southwest of Bermuda on Wednesday.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Margot moved north over the Central Atlantic. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Margot was located at latitude 31.7°N and longitude 39.6°W which put it about 835 miles (1345 km) west-southwest of the Azores. Margot was moving toward the north at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

Hurricane Lee Moves South of Bermuda

Hurricane Lee moved south of Bermuda on Monday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 23.9°N and longitude 64.8°W which put it about 580 miles (935 km) south of Bermuda. Lee was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (215 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 948 mb.

Hurricane Lee went through another eyewall replacement cycle on Monday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall early on Monday. Two concentric eyewalls were present at the core of Lee’s circulation during much of Monday. The inner eyewall weakened throughout the day, but a portion of the inner eyewall was still present on microwave satellite images on Monday evening. Low level convergence became concentrated into the outer eyewall and the outer eyewall began to contract around the center of Hurricane Lee. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the concentric eyewalls. Storms near the core of Lee’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The eyewall replacement cycle caused some fluctuations in the size and intensity of Hurricane Lee on Monday. Winds to hurricane force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 26.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 47.0. Hurricane Lee was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Irma when Irma hit Southwest Florida in 2017.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. If the inner eyewall dissipates completely, then Hurricane Lee could intensify on Tuesday.

Hurricane Lee will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lee toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lee will be far to the south of Bermuda on Tuesday.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, former Tropical Storm Margot intensified to a hurricane over the Central Atlantic. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Margot was located at latitude 28.0°N and longitude 39.6°W which put it about 1295 miles (2085 km) northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Margot was moving toward the north at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

Hurricane Lee Moves Northeast of Puerto Rico

Hurricane Lee moved northeast of Puerto Rico on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 62.2°W which put it about 400 miles (645 km) northeast of the San Juan, Puerto Rico. Lee was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (220 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 950 mb.

Hurricane Lee intensified on Sunday after it completed an eyewall replacement cycle. The inner eyewall dissipated on Sunday morning. The outer eyewall surrounded an eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) developed at the center of Lee’s circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Hurricane Lee. Storms near the core of Lee’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

Hurricane Lee was turning into a large and powerful hurricane on Sunday night. Winds to hurricane force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 22.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.7.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Lee could intensify to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday.

Hurricane Lee will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lee toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lee will pass far to the north of the Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Margot continued to intensify gradually over the Central Atlantic Ocean. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Margot was located at latitude 24.6°N and longitude 39.9°W which put it about 1185 miles (1910 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Margot was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

Hurricane Lee Moves Northeast of the Leeward Islands

Hurricane Lee moved northeast of the Leeward Islands on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 59.9°W which put it about 285 miles (455 km) northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands. Lee was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 962 mb.

Hurricane Lee was in the middle of an eyewall replacement cycle on Saturday evening. A small eye was at the center of Lee’s circulation. The small eye was surrounded by a tight ring of thunderstorms. The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. A second eyewall surrounded the small eye and inner eyewall. The eyewall replacement cycle and some vertical wind shear caused Hurricane Lee to weaken on Saturday. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the two concentric eyewalls. Storms near the center of Lee’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The eyewall replacement cycle caused the size of Hurricane Lee’s circulation to increase. Winds to hurricane force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 31.4.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment that will become more favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weaker and there will be less vertical wind shear. Hurricane Lee is likely to weaken on Sunday until the eyewall replacement cycle is completed, even though Lee will move into a more favorable environment. After the inner eyewall dissipates, low level convergence will increase into the larger outer eyewall. When the low level convergence becomes more concentrated in the outer eyewall, then Hurricane Lee could start to intensify again.

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 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lee could be north of the Puerto Rico by early next week.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Margot gradually intensified west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Margot was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 39.1°W which put it about 1060 miles (1705 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Margot was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Hurricane Lee Weakens East of the Northern Leeward Islands

Hurricane Lee weakened while it moved over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Northern Leeward Islands on Friday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 56.5°W which put it about 440 miles (705 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Lee was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (220 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 963 mb.

An upper level trough near Puerto Rico produced strong southwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Hurricane Lee. Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear. Those winds also inhibited the upper level divergence in the southern side of Hurricane Lee. Hurricane Lee was unable to pump away as much mass as was flowing into Lee in the lower levels of the atmosphere. More mass accumulated in the center of Hurricane Lee and the surface pressure rose quickly on Friday.

The inner core of Hurricane Lee was disrupted by the moderate vertical wind shear. The ring of thunderstorms surrounding the eye was broken south of the center of Lee’s circulation. Bands in the southwestern part of Hurricane Lee consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern half of Lee’s circulation. Thunderstorms in the northern side of Lee still generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the hurricane.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Lee increased on Friday. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 12.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 33.0.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. However, the upper level trough near Puerto Rico will still continue to cause vertical wind shear on Saturday. Hurricane Lee could continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

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 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lee could be northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands by Saturday night.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Margot was moved farther away from the Cabo Verde Islands. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Margot was located at latitude 19.5°N and longitude 35.8°W which put it about 810 miles (1310 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Margot was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

Hurricane Lee Rapidly Intensifies to Cat. 5

Hurricane Lee rapidly intensified to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over Atlantic Ocean east of the Northern Leeward Islands on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 17.3°N and longitude 52.4°W which put it about 705 miles (1135 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 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 928 mb.

A circular eye with a diameter of 17 miles (28 km) was at the center of Hurricane Lee. A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in the ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Lee’s circulation. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

Hurricane Lee rapidly intensified to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday. Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 48.4.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 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 could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.

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, Hurricane Lee could be northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands by Friday night.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Margot was spinning west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Margot was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 29.3°W which put it about 355 miles (570 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Margot was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

Lee Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Lee rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over Atlantic Ocean east of the Northern Leeward Islands on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 16.9°N and longitude 51.3°W which put it about 780 miles (1260 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Lee was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 953 mb.

Hurricane Lee rapidly intensified to a major hurricane on Thursday. The inner end of rainband wrapped around the center of Lee’s circulation. An eye with a diameter of 23 miles (37 km) formed at the center of Hurricane Lee. A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in the ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Lee’s circulation. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

Hurricane Lee rapidly intensified to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 35.4.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 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 24 hours. Lee could strengthen to Category 5 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, Hurricane Lee could be northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands by Friday night.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Margot developed west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Margot was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 28.3°W which put it about 290 miles (465 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Margot was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

Lee Intensifies to a Hurricane

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.

Tropical Storm Lee Forms East of the Lesser Antilles

Tropical Storm Lee formed east of the Lesser Antilles on Tuesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Lee was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 41.8°W which put it about 1315 miles (2115 km) east of the Lesser Antilles. Lee was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

A low pressure system within a tropical wave over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Lesser Antilles strengthened on Tuesday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Lee. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Lee’s circulation during the afternoon. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center started to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away form the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Lee.

Tropical Storm Lee will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 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. Tropical Storm Lee will intensify during the next 36 hours. Lee could strengthen to a hurricane by Thursday.

Tropical Storm 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 Leeward Islands by Friday night.