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Large swells, rough beach conditions from Hurricane Lee impact the East Coast
The WCNC Charlotte Weather Team continues to monitor the tropics on the peak of hurricane season.
Brad Panovich, Brittany Van Voorhees (WCNC), James Brierton (WCNC), KJ Jacobs
1:56 PM EDT September 5, 2023
6:45 PM EDT September 13, 2023
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Lee is expected to weaken as it treks to the north with a potential landfall this weekend near Nova Scotia. Be then, it could lose tropical characteristics and become a post-tropical storm. This doesn’t change the impacts felt across parts of New England.
Lee maxed out at Category 5 intensity nearly two weeks ago with winds of 165 mph. This makes it the strongest hurricane of the 2023 season so far.
On the Saffir Simpson hurricane wind scale, a major hurricane is a hurricane with winds of at least 111 mph, which is equivalent to Category 3 or higher.
With the storm’s track towards the north-northwest, our team continues to closely monitor the storm’s path. Lee is expected to brush pass Bermuda, yet impacts will be felt there. In the Carolinas, large swells, dangerous beach conditions and elevated rip currents will remain a risk through the weekend.
The historical peak of hurricane season is Sept. 10. Hurricane season ends on Nov. 30.
It never hurts to be prepared. Having an emergency supply kit, whether for this storm or a future storm, is a great way to get prepared ahead of any natural disaster.
Contact Brad Panovich at bpanovich@wcnc.com or follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Contact Brittany Van Voorhees at bvanvoorhe@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Contact KJ Jacobs at kjacobs3@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
WCNC Charlotte’s Weather IQ YouTube channel gives detailed explainers from the WCNC Charlotte meteorologists to help you learn and understand weather, climate and science. Watch previous stories where you can raise your Weather IQ in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.