TAMPA, Fla. — Tropical Storm Lee continues to rapidly intensify and is close to becoming a hurricane.
This isn't unexpected for Lee, which formed Tuesday from Tropical Depression Thirteen — National Hurricane Center forecasters continue to expect it to rapidly intensify by the weekend. Interests in the Leeward Islands should keep an eye on the storm's development as it could impact the islands.
Tropical Storm Lee is a 70-mph system located about 1,200 miles east of the Lesser Antilles, according to the hurricane center's latest advisory. It's moving west-northwest at 14 mph. By the end of Wednesday, Lee is expected to become a hurricane and then a major hurricane over the next few days.
At this time, no watches or warnings are in effect as it remains far away from land.
The tropical storm remains on track to continue gaining strength over the next few days, developing into a hurricane and even a major hurricane — Category 3 or greater — heading into the weekend.
"It is becoming a question of when and not if rapid intensification occurs with Lee," hurricane center forecasters wrote.
It's expected Tropical Storm Lee will continue heading toward the northern Caribbean islands. From there, currently, many weather computer models steer it away from Florida.
At this time, Florida and the United States aren't in any immediate danger from this system.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic, the NHC is monitoring two other tropical waves for potential development. A "strong" tropical wave is currently located near the coast of West Africa. Over the next seven days, this wave is expected to gradually develop and has a 70 percent chance of becoming a tropical depression by the end of the week.
Another tropical wave is actually Post-Tropical Cyclone Franklin. Right now, the NHC isn't expecting much from these remnants but it could pick up some subtropical or tropical characteristics later in the week or over the weekend. Over the next seven days, however, it only has a 10 percent chance for development.