Hurricane Lee Latest Forecast: See Potential Impacts On NC

RALEIGH, NC — With Hurricane Lee a powerful storm, weather officials say dangerous surf and rip currents could impact the U.S. east coast this weekend.

The National Hurricane Center said at its 11 a.m. update Lee's core should move north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend and early next week. Winds were at 155 mph.

The storm is expected to bring "dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents" to the northern Leeward Islands Friday before heading toward Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and Bermuda.

Then, the surf and rip currents could impact the U.S. east coast, starting Sunday. State and local emergency management officials have not given guidance on how or if North Carolina could be affected.

"It is way too soon to know what level of of impacts, if any, Lee might have along the U.S. east coast, Atlantic Canada or Bermuda late next week, particularly since the hurricane is expected to slow down considerably over the southwestern Atlantic," the hurricane center said.

The National Weather Service told Patch Friday Lee should not be a significant concern for North Carolina due to Lee's far-off location in the Atlantic.

Meanwhile, flights Friday did not seem to be heavily affected by Lee. The Raleigh-Durham International Airport reported few flight delays and almost no cancellations.

AccuWeather reported Lee had winds of 165 mph Friday after sustaining 80-mph winds the prior day.

"The monster storm will chart a lengthy course across the Atlantic, bringing impacts from the Caribbean islands to the United States and Atlantic Canada," AccuWeather meteorologists said. "(Lee) now holds the title of the strongest hurricane to churn in the Atlantic during the 2023 season."

AccuWeather reported Lee's powerful status as a hurricane will last for days.