Hurricane Lee, currently categorized as a Category 1 storm, is expected to escalate into a “major hurricane” by Friday morning and could pose a potential threat to the United States next week.
As of 5 a.m. ET on Thursday, Hurricane Lee was moving west-northwest at a speed of 13 miles per hour across the Atlantic Ocean, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. Its approximate location was 965 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, encompassing areas like the U.S. Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Martin, and St. Kitts. Lee is projected to intensify further and could reach Category 4 status by Saturday as it approaches the Leeward Islands before nearing Puerto Rico by Sunday.
The impending impact of Hurricane Lee over the next four days is expected to surpass the strength and reach of Hurricane Idalia, a Category 3 storm that made landfall and primarily affected Florida’s Big Bend region, causing significant flooding and temporary power outages.
Alex DaSilva, a meteorologist from AccuWeather, cautioned that it is still too early to predict the precise impact of Hurricane Lee on the U.S. The storm’s path and potential outcomes are still approximately a week away from being accurately determined. However, DaSilva emphasized that the storm is showing signs of rapid strengthening, possibly reaching Category 3 status soon and potentially becoming a Category 4 or 5 hurricane over the weekend.
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The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that swells generated by Hurricane Lee will reach parts of the Lesser Antilles on Friday, posing a significant threat of life-threatening surf and rip currents in the region. Hispaniola, the Bahamas, and Bermuda are also expected to experience the brunt of the storm’s impact.
Meteorologist Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel noted that Hurricane Lee appears to be following its expected trajectory in terms of intensity and movement. He expressed confidence that the storm is likely to reach the upper end of the hurricane scale as the weekend progresses.
Global weather models indicate that Hurricane Lee will take a sharp northward turn next week, remaining east of the U.S. East Coast. While there is a possibility of Lee making landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada, around September 15/16, it is too early to provide a definitive prediction.
Experts such as Ivan Cabrera Lee, chief meteorologist and hurricane specialist at CBS Miami, suggest that, based on the current path, Hurricane Lee is unlikely to impact Florida directly.
Meteorologist Reed Timmer emphasized that residents of New England should remain vigilant, as coastal flooding and dangerous riptides are expected when this potentially massive hurricane passes just offshore.
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DaSilva cited Hurricane Fiona, a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in September 2022, as an example of how rapidly evolving storms can impact different parts of North America. Even if the hurricane primarily affects Atlantic Canada, it can still have direct repercussions in areas like Maine or northern New England.
Beyond immediate physical damage, hurricanes like Idalia and Lee have long-lasting effects on water quality. Christine Angelini, director of the Center for Coastal Solutions at the University of Florida, explained that coordinated efforts are undertaken for weeks or months after such events to assess changes in sediments, nutrient pollution, sewage, and industrial contaminants that can persist and accumulate over time. These factors can harm both the environment and human health, extending beyond the storm’s initial impact.
The increasing population density along coastal areas, especially in Florida, exacerbates concerns regarding water systems. More people living in these regions means a higher likelihood of sewage-related issues, combined sewer overflows during extreme weather events, residential runoff, and associated health risks caused by bacterial contamination.
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The implications of these events extend beyond the immediate aftermath, highlighting the need for sustained efforts to address the environmental and health challenges posed by hurricanes like Lee and the growing population in vulnerable coastal areas.
