, but the storm will generate high surf with powerful waves that may cause damage along the shorelines. Computer models predict Lee will stay offshore of the Eastern Seaboard, some indicate that the Mid-Atlantic and
coasts may still feel effects from the storm and monitoring future forecasts is recommended, FOX Weather reported. with extreme speed on Thursday, transforming from a Category 1 hurricane at 80 mph Wednesday night to a Category 5 monster at 165 mph just 24 hours later. Lee was only the 13th Category 5 storm to form east of the Caribbean on record, according to FOX Weather. Friday, lowering some of the storm's strength and knocking it down to a Category 3.
The hurricane continues to head in a northwest direction and has begun slowing down over the southwestern Atlantic where it is expected to continue strengthening. Hurricane Lee is expected to continue moving west-northwest in the open waters of the southwestern Atlantic during the coming days, remaining far to the east of the Bahamas by early next week.
On the current track, Lee is expected to pass well north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico over the next couple of days. While Lee had dropped in intensity Friday and early Saturday, forecasters say during the early workweek, the hurricane could regain Category 4 status, if atmospheric conditions are conducive.