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Forecasters predicted that the Jersey Shore's rough surf and rip currents would become much more dangerous as Hurricane Lee approached the East Coast early the next week.
The
National Hurricane Center predicted Saturday that the hazardous surf and rip currents would start on Sunday and Monday. With a maximum sustained wind speed of about 115 mph as of 5 a.m., Lee is a category 3 storm. It was last observed spinning about 385 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands.
With the exception of hazardous rip currents that resulted in at least two drownings and numerous rescues in Cape May, Belmar, and Seaside Park over the Labor Day weekend, Hurricane Idalia had little effect on the Garden State.
In early next week, Lee is expected to pass north of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the northern Leeward Islands before heading north toward the East Coast, according to the weather agency.
The hurricane's force has decreased since it was downgraded to a category 5 storm on Thursday with 165 mph maximum sustained winds. Before it reaches the U.S. mainland, Lee is predicted to dramatically slow down, leaving Lee's projected route and effects largely up in the air, according to forecasters.
That doesn't mean the storm won't be severe as the new week approaches, though.
The National Hurricane Center stated on Friday that it had "low confidence in the intensity forecast at this time, although it is likely that Lee will remain a dangerous hurricane for at least the next five days."
According to AccuWeather, the area will likely experience heavy rain, strong gusts, beach erosion, powerful waves, rough seas, and storm surge. High tide coastal flooding could also happen.
Bernie Rayno,
AccuWeather Chief Broadcast Meteorologis says "Right now, the area in the United States that really needs to pay attention includes locations from the upper part of the mid-Atlantic coast to New England."
According to New Jersey State Climatologist David Robinson, warmer-than-normal ocean surface temperatures might further enhance the chance of hurricanes this season.
