Description
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Lee is just under 870 miles to the east of the northern Leeward Islands.
The hurricane continues to head in a west-northwest heading in the general direction of the northeast Caribbean and southwest Atlantic.
Lee is forecast to reach major hurricane strength – defined as Category 3 or higher — by Friday afternoon. Over the weekend, winds could reach Category 4 or 5 strength.
"The atmospheric and oceanic conditions appear extremely favorable for rapid intensification during the next several days," NHC forecasters said. "(Lee is) expected to rapidly intensify into an extremely dangerous hurricane by the weekend."