Watching the Tropics

Watching the Tropics is updated at 2AM, 5AM, 8AM, 11AM, 2PM, 5PM, 8PM, and 11PM daily
Atlantic Hurricane Basin Tracking Updates
Watching the Tropics tracks storms destined to the United States East coast, the Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico out of the Atlantic hurricane basin.
Archive Disclaimers NHC Advisories Definitions
Back to Archive

Hurricane Icon Hurricane Lee 2023 (Category 5)

Hurricane Lee Details

Date Formed:
9/5/2023
Date Dissipated:
9/16/2023
Days Active:
11 days
Max Wind Speed:
165 mph on 9/8/2023
Category 5
Landfall Date:
N/A
Landfall Location:
N/A

Hurricane Lee Recap

Tropical Storm Lee originated from a tropical wave that emerged into the tropical Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on September 1. The storm quickly intensified, becoming a hurricane by September 6 and reaching Category 5 strength with winds of 165 mph. However, increasing wind shear caused Lee to weaken back to a high-end Category 4 hurricane. After fluctuating in intensity due to eyewall replacement cycles, Lee eventually weakened to a Category 1 hurricane as it approached Bermuda and began its extratropical transition on September 14. By September 16, the storm had made several landfalls in Atlantic Canada before merging with another extratropical low.

Lee caused one fatality in Puerto Rico due to rip currents and dangerous surf along the Atlantic coast of the United States. The storm also brought extensive power outages in Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, with three storm-related fatalities in the mainland United States. Overall, the total damage from Tropical Storm Lee is estimated at USD$80 million, with USD$50 million in damages in the US and USD$30 million in damages in Canada and Bermuda.