Tropical Storm Lee formed on Tuesday afternoon in the central Atlantic, and is likely to become a major hurricane by this weekend as it spins west toward the United States.
Lee doesn’t pose an imminent threat to Florida and forecasts throughout the day have predicted it would eventually curl north, missing the Sunshine State.
According to a 11 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, Lee was about 1,230 miles east of the Lesser Antilles and was moving west-northwest at 15 mph. The system had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.
Forecasters expect Lee will become a major hurricane in a few days, and are anticipating at least a Category 4 storm, which has winds of at least 130 mph and can bring catastrophic damage.
Forecasters are also monitoring two other areas of interest — a tropical wave and the remnants of Hurricane Franklin, according to afternoon updates from the hurricane center. None of the systems pose an immediate threat to Florida.
A strong wave near the coast of West Africa on Tuesday was likely to become a tropical depression over the far eastern Atlantic later this week. The system is expected to move west or west-northwest at 10 to 15 mph and move over the Cabo Verde Islands Wednesday night and Thursday.
The system has a 30% chance of formation in the next two days and a 60% chance in the next week.
In the northeastern Atlantic, Post-Tropical Cyclone Franklin was several hundred miles north of the Azores. Forecasters said it could gather some strength as it moves between the Azores and Portugal this week.
• • •
Tampa Bay Times hurricane coverage 2023
What to do if your house floods from Hurricane Idalia
How to help Hurricane Idalia victims, or get assistance if you need it
Hurricane floodwater can be dangerous. Here’s why you should stay out of it.
Hurricane season 2023: Here’s what to know about forecast tracks.
Storm surge is deadly. We built a computer model to show how.
How to protect your pets — and yourself — during a hurricane.
Checklists for building all kinds of storm kits
Protect your data and documents using your phone