ORLANDO, Fla. — Channel 9 meteorologists are tracking Hurricane Lee as it continues to move through the Atlantic.
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11:30 a.m. update:
The National Hurricane Center confirmed that Hurricane Lee has slightly weakened back to a Category 4 storm.
Lee was upgraded to a Category 5 storm Thursday night and was expected to stay that strength for most of Friday.
However, Lee is encountering wind shear that is expected to keep it a Category 4 status.
11AM AST Sep 8: #Lee expected to remain a powerful hurricane through early next week. Dangerous beach conditions expected to develop around the Western Atlantic through early next week. Visit https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb for the latest information pic.twitter.com/DeRjXe6aQd
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 8, 2023
The storm now has maximum sustained winds around 155 mph and is moving west-northwest at 13 mph.
Lee is now forecast to remain a Category 4 hurricane through Wednesday when it is projected to make its turn north and away from Florida.
Channel 9 will have the latest details on Lee during Eyewitness News at Noon.
Original report:
All eyes are on Hurricane Lee as it continues to strengthen in the Atlantic.
Lee was upgraded into a powerful Category 5 hurricane Thursday night.
As of Friday morning, Lee has maximum sustained winds of 165 mph and is moving west-northwest at 14 mph.
Read: Hurricane Idalia: What to know about Keaton Beach, where storm made landfall
Lee is forecast to stay a Category 5 storm through the weekend before weakening back to a Category 4.
Lee’s forecast track has not changed much and is still projected to stay clear of Florida and the Caribbean islands.
Read: Hurricane Idalia: Tips to avoid post-storm scams
By the end of next week, Florida’s east coast beaches will see some dangerous surf from the passing storm.
Lee is forecast to make a sharp turn to the north by Wednesday and should remain around 100 miles off the coast of Florida.
Read: Significant damage reported in Cedar Key following Hurricane Idalia
Tropical Storm Margot also formed Thursday and is expected to make a northerly turn into the central Atlantic Ocean.
Channel 9′s meteorologists will continue to monitor the tropics and provide updates on Eyewitness News.
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