SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Lee strengthened into a hurricane on Wednesday as it churned through the open waters of the Atlantic on a path that would take it near the northeast Caribbean.
The hurricane was located about 1,130 miles (1,815 kilometers) east of the northern Leeward Islands.
It had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph) and was moving west-northwest at 14 mph (22 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center.
“It has the potential to become a powerhouse Category 5 hurricane, the strongest hurricane of the year,” said Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist for AccuWeather.
Lee is the 12th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
Persons:
Lee, Maria, Irma, ”, Jonathan Porter, Jova
Organizations:
JUAN, National Hurricane Center, British Virgin Islands, AccuWeather, Atlantic, National Weather Service, Atmospheric Administration
Locations:
Puerto Rico, Leeward, British Virgin, U.S, San Juan, Mexico, Baja California