NOAA Visible Satellite Hurricane Lee
Hurricane Lee 1100 AM EDT Tue Sep 12 2023
Hurricane Lee is moving WNW at 5 kts with max winds of about 100 kts (115 mph), max significant wave height estimated about 12 meters (40 feet), and a minimum pressure of 951 mb. Hurricane force winds extend outward about 80 nm to the northeast and 50 nm to the southwest.
Hurricane Lee Wind Field
Heavy swell from Lee will cause dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents will affect portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and most of the U.S East Coast through much of the week.
The officeal NHC Forecast Track shows Lee turning NW then startarting to accelerate towards the north during the next couple of days. The core of Lee is forecast to pass west of Bermuda bringing some wind impacts to the island on Thursday and a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the island.
After about 24 hours, Lee will encounter cooler sea surface temperatures which should gradually weaken the system late Wednesday and Thursday.
Once Lee passes north of the Gulf stream Friday and Saturday, significantly colder sea temperatures will cause more rapid weakening and start a transition into an extratropical storm low as it passes north of Georges Bank and approaches Nova Scotia or the northeastern coast of Maine.
There is a risk for a period of 30-45 kt winds over portions of Cape Cod and Nantucket late Friday night and Saturday.
Sea Surface Temperature (F)
Fred Pickhardt
Sept 13th Update: Hurricane Lee at 11am EDT was located near 26.4N 67.2W, moving NNW at 8 kts with max winds 100 knots (115 mph). Significant wave heights currently to 13-14 meters (42-46 feet). Hurricane force winds extend outward 100 nm to the NE and 60 nm to the SE. 50 knot (58 mph) winds extend out 130 nm to the NE and 90 nm to the SW.
Lee is now making its turn towards the north which will take the core of the system to the west of Bermuda Thursday and Thursday night. Lee will be moving over cooler sea temperatures which will weaken the system. The forecast track brings Lee close to southeastern New England before reaching Maine and Atlantic Canada later in the weekend.
Tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall, and high surf are expected to impact Bermuda beginning early Thursday, and a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the island. There is an increasing risk of wind, coastal flooding, and rain impacts from Lee in portions of New England and Atlantic Canada
beginning on Friday and continuing through the weekend.
Currently the risk for gale force winds (34 kt/39 mph) for Boston is about 20% and at Nantucket and Cape Cod,about 40-50%.