Will Hurricane Lee Affect NYC? What We Know So Far

NEW YORK CITY, NY — Hurricane Lee is expected to fluctuate in intensity over the next day or two as it moves slowly toward the northwest, the National Weather Service said Monday. But when, if ever, will it hit New York City, and how will it impact New Yorkers?

It remains too soon to know what level of impact Lee might have along the Northeast U.S. coast late this week and this weekend, weather officials said Monday.

However, wind and rainfall hazards will likely extend well away from the center of the hurricane as the storm grows in size, so it is important for locals to keep an eye on the forecast over the next several days, according to officials.

The hurricane was located around 600 miles south of Bermuda with maximum winds of around 120 miles per hour as of Monday afternoon, Dr. Michael Brennan of the National Hurricane Center said in an update.

Hurricane-force winds were extending as far as 75 miles from the center of the hurricane, with tropical storm-force winds extending 200 miles from the center Monday afternoon, Brennan said — a trend expected to continue over the next several days.

Even if the center of the hurricane remains offshore, high winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding could still hit the northeast, Brennan said.

As it stands, New York City is under a flood watch from Monday morning until Tuesday at 12 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Excessive runoff from rainfall, which could reach one to three inches, may result in flooding of low-lying and flood-prone locations, officials said.

This story is being updated.