As of the Saturday update from the National Hurricane Center on Saturday, major Hurricane Lee is still expected to pass well to the north-northeast of the USVI and Puerto Rico over the next few days.
The NHC reports that certain impacts from the system can be expected during the days ahead, including powerful swells and the possibility of rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.
“Swells generated by Lee are affecting portions of the Lesser Antilles and are spreading westward to the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, and Bermuda through this weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” according to the NHC update.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been closely monitoring the situation.
“Hazardous seas and dangerous breaking waves are expected across the Atlantic coastal waters and shorelines. Across these areas, seas are expected to build near 12 feet with breaking waves around 10-15 feet by early the next workweek,” a Saturday morning update from the NWS explained.
Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) released information on Friday regarding the safety of individuals in or on the water.
“The Coast Guard urges recreational boaters, fishermen and beachgoers and water sports enthusiasts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Friday, to exercise caution during the weekend due to deteriorating sea state conditions and dangerous rip currents associated with Hurricane Lee,” according to the USCG.
Alerts including a “Small Craft Advisory,” a “High Rip Current Risk,” and a “High Surf Advisory” have been issued by the NWS for portions of the USVI and P.R. Additional updates and alerts will be posted to the Source Weather Page as they become available.
It is important to remember that weather conditions can change rapidly. USVI visitors and residents can find more information about the weather, including severe weather alerts, from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency website and the National Weather Service.
