Hurricane Lee in Massachusetts: Latest maps, timeline, storm impacts

BOSTON — Hurricane Lee is barreling north in the Atlantic Ocean and the storm is threatening to bring storm surge flooding to the east coast of Massachusetts as early as late Friday.

Friday morning, Lee was spinning about 490 miles southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and moving away from Bermuda, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

LATEST TRACK

Lee is forecast to approach the coast of New England and Atlantic Canada as a Category 1 storm on Friday and Saturday.

The storm will track as close to 170 miles offshore as it brings wind gusts between 50 and 65 miles per hour on Cape Cod and 40 and 50 miles per hour up to the coast, Kevin Lemanowicz said in his latest forecast.

LATEST WEATHER ALERTS

The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning across the coast of New England, extending from Rhode Island to Maine.

In Massachusetts, Southern Plymouth, Southern Bristol, Western Plymouth, Eastern Norfolk, Suffolk, Eastern Essex, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties are all under a tropical storm warning until further notice.

A coastal flood warning has been issued for Nantucket and Barnstable counties.

A high surf advisory is also in effect for Southern Bristol, Southern Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket, Eastern Essex, Eastern Norfolk, Eastern Plymouth, and Suffolk counties.

RAINFALL FORECAST

When it comes to Lee’s precipitation, Cape Cod and the Islands are expected to be the areas that are most impacted, with 1 to 2 inches of rainfall possible Friday night into Saturday morning.

“We’re still expecting a sharp cutoff to the showers in eastern Massachusetts with little to no rain west of I-495,” Boston 25 Meteorologist Shiri Spear said Friday morning.

WIND GUST FORECAST

Winds will increase on Friday and remain gusty through Saturday night. Tropical storm force winds are possible late Friday night and Saturday near the coast, where downed branches or trees are possible since trees are fully leafed and root systems may be weakened from saturated soils.

The best chance for 60-65 mph gusts will be on Cape Cod and the Islands. Boston, the South Shore and North Shore, and parts of the Merrimack Valley could see gusts of up to 50 mph. Points more inland will likely see 30-40 mph winds.

TRAVEL CONDITIONS

From 7 a.m. through 12 p.m. on Saturday, travel will be slowgoing for residents of Cape Cod and the Islands. Motorists should expect some delays through the afternoon before things ultimately calm down by 8 p.m.

OTHER CONCERNS

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also warned of dangerous rip currents and waves along the coast.

“Hurricane Lee may cause dangerous surf, high tide, and rip currents in New England coastal areas this week. Check advisories & water conditions before you go to the beach,” Readygov said in a tweet shared by the NOAA.

For the very latest on Lee’s tracking stay with Boston 25 online and on-air.

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