TAMPA, Fla. — Hurricane Lee is still holding strong as a powerful Category 3 storm as it continues moving slowly in the Atlantic — still safely away from land. At one point last week, Lee had even reached Category 5 status.
Interests in the Leeward Islands still should keep an eye on the storm's development as it could impact the islands. Hazardous surf and rip current conditions are expected at beaches across the western Atlantic during the week — affecting the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas and Bermuda, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Hurricane Lee is a 120-mph system located about 340 miles north of the northern Leeward Islands, according to the hurricane center's latest advisory. It's moving northwest at 7 mph. At this time, no watches or warnings are in effect as it remains far away from land.
"Lee is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Fluctuations in intensity are likely over the next few days, however Lee is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through early next week," hurricane center forecasters said.
It's forecast Hurricane Lee will continue heading toward the northern Caribbean islands with impacts to the northern Leeward Islands possible. From there, currently, weather computer models steer it away from Florida.
At this time, Florida and the United States aren't in any immediate danger from this system but it bears watching until the system possibly makes its turn to the north.
The entire East Coast, including Florida, should be prepared for dangerous surf and rip currents starting Sunday.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic, the NHC said Tropical Storm Margot has gained some strength in the central tropical Atlantic. It will stay far away from land. Margot could become a hurricane by Monday.
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