Hurricane Lee is rapidly gaining strength, having escalated from a Category 1 to a Category 5 storm within a span of just a few hours. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported this exceptional rate of strengthening, marking the first time a hurricane was predicted to reach Category 5 intensity when it had started as only a Category 2 storm. This dramatic transformation is primarily attributed to the record warm ocean waters, partially linked to human-induced climate change, and favorable atmospheric conditions.
As of 5 am Thursday ET, Hurricane Lee was a Category 1 storm with winds reaching 80 mph. In a mere 12 hours, its maximum sustained winds surged to 130 mph, placing it in Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. By 11 pm ET, the storm’s sustained winds had reached 160 mph, solidifying its Category 5 status. This intensification was unprecedented, with wind speeds increasing by more than 80 mph within 24 hours, well beyond the 35 mph threshold for rapid intensification.
The NHC’s current forecast anticipates Hurricane Lee’s maximum sustained winds to peak at 180 mph. Given the likelihood of it becoming an extremely powerful storm, tracking its path closely is essential. According to the current NHC forecast, the hurricane is expected to stay north of the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico, minimizing their potential impacts. However, it’s important to note that storm track predictions can be less accurate when projected this far in advance, so there’s still a possibility of the Leewards and Puerto Rico being more directly affected.
Over the next few days, Hurricane Lee is expected to traverse the warmest waters in the Atlantic, providing ample energy for further intensification. The primary risks associated with Lee in the coming days include high seas, dangerous surf, and rip currents affecting parts of the northern Caribbean. The potential impacts on the U.S. East Coast, Atlantic Canada, or Bermuda remain uncertain and will depend on the hurricane’s future behavior, especially as it is predicted to slow down considerably over the southwestern Atlantic.
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Rapid intensification, although typically observed in the strongest hurricanes, is becoming more frequent and pronounced due to rising sea and air temperatures caused by human-induced climate change.
As for the storm’s future path, computer models suggest that Hurricane Lee may slow down before turning northward, influenced by various weather features, including a dip in the jet stream moving toward the East Coast. The exact trajectory beyond early next week remains uncertain, but it is still about a week to 10 days away from potentially posing a threat to the U.S. mainland. Therefore, continuous monitoring of updates and preparations is essential.
In conclusion, while Hurricane Lee has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm, its future impact on the U.S. mainland remains uncertain. All eyes are on the hurricane’s trajectory and potential northward turn as meteorologists work to refine the forecast in the coming days.
