ZCZC MIATCPAT3 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM BULLETIN Hurricane Lee Advisory Number 10 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132023 500 PM AST Thu Sep 07 2023 ...LEE NOW A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE... ...RIP CURRENTS AND HAZARDOUS SURF WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE NORTHERN CARIBBEAN FRIDAY AND BEGIN AFFECTING THE MAINLAND U.S. BY SUNDAY... SUMMARY OF 500 PM AST...2100 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...16.9N 51.3W ABOUT 780 MI...1260 KM E OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...130 MPH...215 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 295 DEGREES AT 15 MPH...24 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...953 MB...28.15 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Interests in the northern Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of Lee. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the clear eye of Hurricane Lee was located near latitude 16.9 North, longitude 51.3 West. Lee is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h). The hurricane will continue moving in this direction for the next several days while gradually slowing down its forward speed. On the forecast track, the core of Lee will move north of the northern Leeward Islands during the next several days. Maximum sustained winds have rapidly increased to near 130 mph (215 km/h) with higher gusts. Lee is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Additional strengthening is expected tonight. Fluctuations in intensity are expected after that, but Lee is forecast to remain a powerful major hurricane well into next week. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 953 mb (28.15 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- Key messages for Lee can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT3 and WMO header WTNT43 KNHC and on the web at hurricanes.gov/text/MIATCDAT3.shtml SURF: Swells generated by Lee are expected to reach portions of the Lesser Antilles on Friday, and reach the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Bahamas, and Bermuda this weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to begin along most of the U.S. East Coast beginning Sunday. Please consult products from your local weather office. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 1100 PM AST. $$ Forecaster D. Zelinsky NNNN