[VIVO] Category 3 Hurricane Lee Persists Advancing Northeast of the Antilles

Punta Cana, RD.- Hurricane Lee, now a category 3 with winds of 185 km/h, approaches the northeast of the Lesser Antilles and remains 600 km east of the Caribbean early Saturday, but meteorologists say that the effects of the storm could have an impact on the Atlantic coast of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the United States as early as this weekend.

Lee was just 400 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands at 5 am ET Saturday, packing maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The hurricane, which previously reached a Category 5 rating, could weaken further on Saturday, but is expected to strengthen again over the weekend and stay strong until the middle of next week.

Situation in DR

In the Dominican Republic, the National Meteorological Office (Onamet) recommends operators of fragile, small and medium-sized vessels to remain in port, as well as residents and businesses very close to coastal areas due to the indirect effects of the Hurricane Lee, which is expected to generate very dangerous waves and gusts of wind, as well as possible rip currents, wave breakers and swells.

Forecasts indicate that Lee will cause waves of 9 to 10 feet high along the entire northern coast of the country, with waves being higher offshore.