Category 5 Hurricane Lee, Tropical Storm Margot Expected To Strengthen

Forecasters expect two weather systems in the Atlantic, Category 5 Hurricane Lee and Tropical Storm Margot, to strengthen.

In its 6:00 am weather forecast on Friday, the Saint Lucia Meteorological Services said  Lee’s maximum sustained winds have increased to near 165 mph or 270 km/h, with higher gusts.

However, the forecast expected additional strengthening during the day, with Lee remaining a powerful hurricane ‘well into next week’

At 5:00 am Friday, the eye of Hurricane Lee was near latitude 17.8 North, longitude 53.5 West or about 630 miles or 1015 kilometres east of the northern Leeward Islands.

The system was moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph or 22 km/h.

The forecast expected the movement to continue in the coming days, with a gradual slowing down.

Swells generated by Lee were expected to reach portions of the Lesser Antilles Friday, and interests in the area were advised to stay alert.

Meanwhile at 5:00 am Friday, the centre of Tropical Storm Margot was located near latitude 17.4 North, longitude 30.8 West.

Margot was moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph or 26 km/h, with near 40 mph or 65 km/h.

The National Hurricane Center suspects the storm could become a hurricane.

But Margot is not currently a threat to any land and is expected to stay over the ocean.