Hurricane Lee continued to move across the open Atlantic Ocean Tuesday on a path that will likely take it toward Canada over the weekend, forecasters said. Impacts from a weak storm could impact New England and dangerous surf and rip currents are expected along the East Coast.
The storm, which remained a major Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph winds Tuesday evening, was located 535 miles south of Bermuda. A tropical storm warning has been issued for Bermuda, meaning tropical storm conditions are possible there over the next two days.
The National Hurricane Center, in its 5 p.m. update, said Lee was a “very large hurricane” and was “increasing in size.” Hurricane winds now extend 125 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds 240 miles from the center.
meteorologist Ryan Mao said on X On Tuesday evening, the Hurricane Center “adjusted the track, intensity and structure of Hurricane Lee to indicate landfall in Nova Scotia before completion of the extratropical transition.” However, he added that whether a post-tropical zone is declared or not, “a wind field with hurricane-force gusts will likely extend across coastal New England.”
Where will Lee hit the ground running?
“It will likely make landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada, this weekend, but any hesitation in the track caused by non-tropical weather systems such as high pressure to the east and an approaching jet stream could pull the hurricane west toward New England or push it toward New England,” Bernie Reno said. “It's farther east toward Newfoundland and Labrador,” AccuWeather Meteorologist.
The National Hurricane Center said it is expected to bring dangerous surf and ripping current conditions to beaches across the East Coast throughout the week.
Farther east in the Atlantic Ocean, Margot strengthened into a hurricane.
Track Hurricane Lee:Follow the path of the Category 3 storm as it continues to move toward the northwest
Lee is expected to weaken and turn into a tropical storm
Lee is expected to weaken into a tropical storm by Sunday and will likely make landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada, according to AccuWeather.
“A large storm surge will occur with the strongest winds and risk of property damage,” AccuWeather said in a statement.
Winds and flooding are also expected to affect Rhode Island, eastern Massachusetts, southeastern New Hampshire and central and coastal Maine, meteorologists said.
Rip the current dangers on American shores
Although high winds are likely to remain offshore for most of the U.S. coast, rip currents and dangerous surf are expected, according to the Hurricane Center and National Weather Service offices along the coast. Bigger waves and rip currents have already started arriving on East Coast beaches, and that number is expected to increase, the weather service said Monday.
“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers offshore and into deeper water,” the National Weather Service warns. Here's what you're supposed to do if you're swimming and caught in a rip current: “If you get caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If possible, swim in a direction that follows the current.” Shoreline. If you cannot escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.”
Hurricane Lee tracker: Where is Lee headed?
This forecast track shows the most likely path of the storm's center. It does not show the full width of the storm or its effects, and the center of the storm is likely to move outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
New England tornadoes:Could Lee join the list of notorious storms?
Margot is now a hurricane, but poses no threat to Earth
Meanwhile, Margot, the fifth hurricane of the season, was located about 835 miles west-southwest of the Azores on Tuesday evening. Maximum sustained winds were 80 mph and were moving north at 14 mph. Cyclone Margot is expected to remain over open waters and does not pose any threat to any land area.
Spaghetti models for Hurricane Lee
A note about spaghetti models: Model plot illustrations include a range of forecasting tools and models, and they are not all created equal. The Hurricane Center uses the four or five top-performing models to help make its forecasts.
Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network; Associated Press; Deena Voyles Pulver, USA Today
