Hurricane Lee strengthens back to Category 3 storm

ORLANDO, Fla. — Hurricane Lee has strengthened back into a Category 3 storm as it continues its march west across the Atlantic.

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Lee was a category 1 hurricane Thursday and quickly intensified to Category 5 status before weakening to a Category 2 Sunday morning.

As of 5 p.m. Sunday it had intensified back into a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds measured at 120 miles-per-hour.

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Lee is forecast to make its well-publicized turn to the north around the middle of the week, staying well off Florida’s coast.

While the weather impact is expected to be minimal, the wave energy it produces will arrive at Central Florida’s beaches next week, bringing high waves and dangerous rip currents.

READ: Man struck by tree while cleaning hurricane debris is third Florida death from Hurricane Idalia

Locally, the forecast calls for a few isolated storms through bedtime Sunday and again Monday.

Another chance for storms will arrive late afternoon through the evening.

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The pattern of scattered evening storms returns Tuesday as reminder that Florida’s summer wet season is still upon us.

Expect an ever higher chance of rain Thursday and Friday before drier air arrives next weekend.

Follow our Severe Weather team on Twitter for live updates:

• Chief meteorologist Tom Terry
• Kassandra Crimi
• George Waldenberger
• Brian Shields

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