News

Tropical Storm Lee forms; forecast to become ‘extremely dangerous’ hurricane

11 p.m. Update:

ORLANDO, Fla. — Lee is expected to become a hurricane by Wednesday.

WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

DOWNLOAD OUR APPS

It is tracking WNW and north of the Caribbean through the weekend as a big, major hurricane.

Forecast models show a trough turning Lee north well offshore of Florida.

5 p.m. Update:

Tropical Depression 13 strengthened into Tropical Storm Lee on Tuesday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center said.

Lee is expected to rapidly intensify into an extremely dangerous hurricane by the weekend as it moves over the incredibly warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

“The forecast track is generally north of the Leeward islands and Puerto Rico,” certified meteorologist George Waldenberger said. “We’ll still be watching for any shifts closer to these areas just in case.”

At the very least, we’ll be watching increasing waves on the north sides of those islands, he said.

“Lee is expected to curve to the north while staying off Florida’s east coast, but it will likely generate strong rip currents and high waves at our beaches later next week,” Waldenberger said.

Click here to watch live updates on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

10:40 a.m. update:

The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Depression Thirteen has formed over the central Atlantic Ocean.

Forecast data shows TD-13 could continue to strengthen into Tropical Storm Lee on Tuesday.

Channel 9 meteorologists are monitoring all tropical activity in the Atlantic and will provide updates on Eyewitness News at Noon.

Original report:

Channel 9 meteorologist Brian Shields said early indications are that the system will curve and not be a threat to Florida, but it is too early to tell for certain.

Shields said the storm should be north of Puerto Rico by this weekend, and is currently forecast to curve east of the Bahamas.

Read: Labor Day beachgoers face rough surf, dangerous rip currents

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.

Follow our Severe Weather team on X (Twitter) for live updates:

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Jason Kelly

Jason Kelly, WFTV.com

Jason Kelly joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2014. He serves as the station's Digital Executive Producer.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.

0
Comments on this article
0

Listen

news

weather

traffic

mobile apps

Everything you love about wdbo.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!