Tropical Storm Lee navigated the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, with forecasts suggesting its imminent escalation to hurricane status as it nears the Caribbean.
Navigating the open Atlantic: Lee’s latest position
Situated approximately 1,265 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Reports are that the storm was advancing at a speed of 14 mph in a west-northwest direction.
The path ahead for Lee
Although not anticipated to make landfall, Lee is expected to pass the northeastern perimeter of the British Virgin Islands, an area still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricanes Maria and Irma from September 2017.
The proximity of the storm raises concerns about the already vulnerable region.
A growing threat: Lee’s projected intensification
Forecasters predict Lee to graduate from a tropical storm to a hurricane by late Wednesday and further intensify into a major hurricane within the next few days.
“Lee continues to strengthen at a quick pace,” the center said, adding that the storm is moving over very warm waters and a moist environment.
A busy Atlantic hurricane season
Lee marks the 12th named storm for this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, which extends from June 1 to November 30.
The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had previously warned that this season would see above-average activity, estimating a total of 14 to 21 named storms.
