GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – Lee continues to grow stronger and is expected to be a major hurricane by the weekend. As of the 11 PM advisory, Tropical Storm Lee has sustained winds of 50 mph and gusts up to 65 mph. Lee continues to move west at 16 mph.

Lee is expected to become a major hurricane by the weekend.

Lee is forecast to strengthen up to a major hurricane over the coming days as it tracks toward the west-northwest. It’ll slow down and early indications are Lee will turn north early next week. Upper air pattern will determine whether it’s a sharp turn keeping Lee out in the Atlantic or a longer turn closer to the East Coast. Right now, most model data keeps it out in the Atlantic close to Bermuda similar to how Franklin passed by ENC. A lot can change so stay tuned to the forecast.

An area of disorganized showers and storms may develop into a tropical system over the next few days.

A second area is also being closely monitored for possible development over the next several days. The center of the weak low is currently over the African coast, but with westward movement, it will reach an area of warm water as it moves into the Atlantic. This will lead to a high chance (70%) of tropical development over the next seven days.

Stay with WITN and WITN.COM as we continue to track the remaining name storms this hurricane season.