Hurricane Lee Tracker: Latest forecasts and spaghetti models with the storm expected to intensify quickly

After a day of rapid intensification, Hurricane Lee is expected to reach Category 4 status by this evening.

Warm Atlantic waters — thanks to an El Niño weather pattern — are fueling Hurricane Lee, which is expected to become a Category 5 hurricane later this week.

The National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Lee had sustained winds of 120 mph (193 km/h) as of 3 p.m.

These long-legged wading birds have been seen as far away as Ohio, Kentucky, the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee and Texas in recent days. according to Audubon Florida, a nonprofit organization, tracks their movements.

Flamingos are also showing up in parts of Florida that are rarely seen, such as north-central Alachua County and Collier County on the southern Gulf Coast.

The National Hurricane Center warned that there is still a 25 percent chance that Puerto Rico and other nearby islands – including the Lesser Antilles and Hispaniola – will be hit by strong tropical winds from Hurricane Lee.

“The environment surrounding the hurricane appears ideal for rapid intensification,” the National Hurricane Center said. “The models are in fairly good agreement that significant strengthening should begin later today and continue into the weekend, when it will likely reach peak intensity. Three- to five-day strength fluctuations are likely due to potential wall replacements.” Eye, but I is still forecast to be a dangerous hurricane over the southwestern Atlantic early next week.

Forecasters are unsure if or when Hurricane Lee will turn northward as it continues to move across the Atlantic, but they are watching closely.

Some computer models of Hurricane Lee’s projected path show a northward turn, but it is unclear when that might happen and, if it does, how close the hurricane will come to the U.S. East Coast.

Any potential impacts to the East Coast of the United States will become more apparent in the coming days as Hurricane Lee continues its journey.

Hurricane Lee was about 870 miles (1,405 km) east of the northern Leeward Islands with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h), according to the 11 a.m. (east) update from the National Weather Service.

The hurricane is expected to rapidly intensify during today and evening.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km).

Waves from Hurricane Lee are expected to reach parts of the Lesser Antilles on Friday, and reach the British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Bahamas and Bermuda this weekend. These swells have the potential to cause life-threatening waves and rip current conditions.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Warned in August This year’s season will produce a higher than usual number of storms. Between 14 and 21 named storms are expected. The agency said that among these areas, between six and 11 may develop into hurricanes, and two to five of them are likely to develop into major hurricanes.

Meanwhile, AccuWeather updated its forecast, predicting three to five Category 3 or stronger hurricanes this season, compared to one to three in its previous analysis.

The National Weather Service office in San Juan issued a warning for approaching Hurricane Lee on Thursday.

The hurricane is currently carrying winds of 80 mph, but they are expected to increase. The hurricane will likely reach a Category 4 or 5 category.

The weather service said forecasts show the hurricane tracking north of Puerto Rico, but the island is still expecting dangerous marine conditions, showers from outer bands and gusty winds near strong rain showers.

Waves from Hurricane Lee are expected to reach the British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Bahamas and Bermuda this weekend.

The fast-intensifying hurricane is expected to produce swells that will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.