Hurricane Lee, currently tracking west-northwestward across the tropical Atlantic Ocean, poses a looming threat to the U.S. East Coast. The U.S. National Hurricane Centre has issued warnings of dangerous surf and rip currents, expected to affect coastal regions from Sunday night into the upcoming week.
As of the latest update, Hurricane Lee is situated approximately 270 miles (535 km) northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. The storm is projected to pass north of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other nearby Caribbean islands.
With maximum sustained winds reaching 110 mph (175 kph), Hurricane Lee was initially classified as a Category 3 hurricane. However, it has since weakened to a Category 2 hurricane due to a decrease in wind speed below the 111 mph (178 kph) threshold. The storm’s current forward movement is slow, at 8 mph (17 kph), with the potential for “some strengthening” in the near future, as indicated by meteorologists.
The impact of Hurricane Lee is already being felt in various regions, with swells affecting portions of the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. These conditions are resulting in heightened concerns for coastal safety.
Despite the impending threat, Puerto Rico’s capital, San Juan, initially appeared to have experienced a typical late summer day. Residents and visitors went about their routines, with people walking along the beach, engaging in outdoor activities, and businesses remaining open.
However, precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of those in the region. Authorities have advised individuals to stay away from the water in anticipation of swells and the potentially dangerous rip currents generated by the approaching hurricane.
The National Weather Service’s office in Puerto Rico has forecasted waves of 6 to 10 feet, and possibly higher, in select coastal areas.
