Tropical Storm Lee has formed in the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane by this weekend.
Tropical Storm Lee has formed in the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane by this weekend.
The storm has already strengthened to 65 mph winds, and forecasters are warning of the possibility of "explosive intensification."
The storm has already strengthened to 65 mph winds, and forecasters are warning of the possibility of "explosive intensification."
"It is becoming a question of when and not if rapid intensification occurs with Lee," the National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory.
"It is becoming a question of when and not if rapid intensification occurs with Lee," the National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory.
Winds are forecast to reach 150 mph, which is a powerful Category 4 hurricane.
Winds are forecast to reach 150 mph, which is a powerful Category 4 hurricane.
That is 241 kilometer per hour!
That is 241 kilometer per hour!
The reason for the storm's rapid intensification is the above-average water temperatures in the area of the Atlantic it is churning through.
The reason for the storm's rapid intensification is the above-average water temperatures in the area of the Atlantic it is churning through.
"The system should be moving over record-warm waters ... east of the Lesser Antilles," the NHC said.
"The system should be moving over record-warm waters ... east of the Lesser Antilles," the NHC said.
This forecast — so far out in the Atlantic — with a prediction of strengthening this quickly is unusual. Still, it's too early to say with any certainty exactly where this storm will go.
This forecast — so far out in the Atlantic — with a prediction of strengthening this quickly is unusual. Still, it's too early to say with any certainty exactly where this storm will go.
Most of the long-range models have Lee eventually curving north - missing the Caribbean and remaining offshore of the United States.
Most of the long-range models have Lee eventually curving north - missing the Caribbean and remaining offshore of the United States.
However, forecasters are warning that it is too early to rule out a landfall in the Caribbean or the US.
However, forecasters are warning that it is too early to rule out a landfall in the Caribbean or the US.
Lee is the the 13th named storm of what is an above-average Atlantic hurricane season.
Lee is the the 13th named storm of what is an above-average Atlantic hurricane season.
This is rare, but not that much.
This is rare, but not that much.
As researchers note, only "4 other years on record have had 13+ Atlantic named storms by Sept. 5: 2005, 2011, 2012, 2020."
As researchers note, only "4 other years on record have had 13+ Atlantic named storms by Sept. 5: 2005, 2011, 2012, 2020."
I hope you enjoyed this story about Tropical Storm Lee. It is a developing story, and we will continue to update it as more information becomes available.
I hope you enjoyed this story about Tropical Storm Lee. It is a developing story, and we will continue to update it as more information becomes available.