All eyes are currently on the Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Lee, which has strengthened to a Category 4 storm and could reach a Category 5 as early as Friday. Hurricane Lee is the 13th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season and the 4th hurricane. Peak intensity is expected to reach this weekend and threaten the southwestern Atlantic early next week.
Hurricane Lee rapidly strengthened throughout the day on Thursday, intensifying from a Category 1 early the same morning. While the storm is currently predicted to take a turn for the worse and possibly miss the southern United States, as the storm intensifies it could impact parts of the Caribbean. Marine warnings are in effect in the Caribbean Sea and during the low season, travel may be affected.
How close the storm will reach land may not be determined until late into the weekend. Computer models show Lee moving to a west-northwest route, keeping the country away from the US but possibly moving closer to Bermuda. If Lee makes a slower turn to the north, the eastern U.S. could be vulnerable to heavy winds and rain, especially in areas north of the Carolinas.
It’s too early to say what impact the hurricane will have on the northern Caribbean, but travelers are encouraged to keep a close eye on Lee and be prepared for possible delays and changes to travel arrangements.
Depending on the trajectory, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Hispaniola and the East Coast can experience dangerous rip currents and high surf. The British and US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico will likely remain safe from the more damaging effects of Hurricane Lee, but could experience rain and strong winds. While recent models are promising, this storm has the potential to be extremely dangerous and disruptive. So be careful when traveling to the Caribbean and the Southeastern US.
