Hurricane Lee: Forecasters warn it could be ‘extremely dangerous’ with winds of more than 150mph | World News

Tropical Storm Lee has strengthened into a category 1 hurricane – and could become “extremely dangerous” over the weekend as it heads towards islands in the Caribbean.

Lee is not expected to make landfall on a path forecasters believe will take it near the northeast of the region.

But the storm is expected to cause swells – powerful waves in the ocean – with Puerto Rico and the British and US Virgin Islands particularly under threat.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), winds were whipping around at 80mph on Thursday and “could increase quickly”, with forecasters warning winds could top 150mph.

By Saturday it is forecast to peak as a major hurricane, which is defined as a storm with winds of at least 111mph – category 3.

“It has the potential to become a powerhouse category 5 hurricane, the strongest hurricane of the year,” said Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist for AccuWeather.

The hurricane is expected to generate life-threatening swells, with the seas around Puerto Rico potentially rising up to more than 3m (12ft), according to the National Weather Service in the capital San Juan.

The British Virgin Islands, meanwhile, is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma in September 2017.

Read more from Sky News:
UK heatwave: How to keep your home (and yourself!) cool
What is a ‘heat dome’ – and how long will Britain’s hot spell last?

There is “increasing confidence” that the eye of the storm will not make landfall and will instead pass northwards beyond Puerto Rico.

The NHC warns there is still a 25% chance of Puerto Rico and nearby islands – including Bermuda and the Bahamas – experiencing “sustained tropical-storm-force winds.”

“The environment around the cyclone looks ideal for rapid intensification,” the NHC said.

“The models are in fairly good agreement that significant strengthening should begin later today and continue into the weekend, when Lee will likely reach its peak intensity.

“Fluctuations in strength are likely from days three to five due to potential eyewall replacements, but Lee is still expected to be a dangerous hurricane over the southwestern Atlantic early next week.”

Storms could get worse

The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration warned in August this year’s season would see a higher number of storms than usual.

Between 14 to 21 named storms are forecast, with six to 11 of those potentially becoming hurricanes and up to five of them even becoming major hurricanes.

AccuWeather has also revised forecasts to predict three to five major hurricanes this season, compared with one to three in its previous analysis.