Hurricane Lee on track to stay away from Florida

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Hurricane Lee will weaken sometime Saturday, but regain major hurricane strength by Sunday and hold on to that major hurricane status through the middle of next week.

In the 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, Lee had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and was moving west-northwest at 12 mph. Lee was about 350 miles east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands.

Computer models continue to show a path to the west-northwest, then a turn to the north by the middle of this week, keeping the center of Hurricane Lee away from the U.S.

On the forecast track, Lee is expected to pass well to the north of the Northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico into early next week.

While the center will stay away from the U.S., Lee will produce big swells and rough surf up and down the east coast Sunday and Monday and worsen through the week.

TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide

Tropical Storm Margot in the Eastern Atlantic will strengthen to a Category 1 hurricane by Tuesday.

In the 11 a.m. update, Margot had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving west-northwest at 12 mph. Margot was about 970 miles west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.

Computer models keep this system away from the U.S.