Tropical Storm Lee Is 'Rapidly Intensifying' As It Heads Towards Florida

Hurricane season runs from June through November, and Florida is clearly getting the brunt of it. Not only is the Sunshine State recovering from Hurricane Idalia, but now Invest 95L, which is an area of low pressure located over the central tropical Atlantic, developed into Tropical Depression Thirteen on Tuesday.

Today, the National Hurricane Center said that Tropical Storm Lee is expected to rapidly intensify into an “extremely dangerous” hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean by this weekend as it heads towards Florida.

Tropical Storm Lee could become a hurricane Wednesday, and then could turn into a major Category 3 storm or stronger by late this week.

“Lee is not far from hurricane strength, and it likely will achieve that status later today,” the National Hurricane Center stated in its 5 a.m. update on Wednesday, per CNN. “While it is too soon to determine the location and magnitude of these possible impacts, interests in this area should monitor the progress of Lee and further updates to the forecast.”

According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Lee is expected to hit maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and is about 1,300 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands. "Rapid intensification is when a storm’s winds strengthen quickly over a short amount of time," CNN reported before adding, "Scientists have defined it as a wind speed increase of at least 35 mph in 24 hours or less – a phenomenon aided by warm ocean waters.

CNN does note that "It’s too soon to know whether this system will directly impact the US mainland, but even if the hurricane stays out at sea, dangerous surf and rip currents could once again threaten the East Coast."

Tropical Storm Lee is something that Florida, and other East Coast states will keep an eye on these next few days.

Again, it is too early to tell if Tropical Storm Lee will affect Walt Disney World, which is located in Central Florida, however, Walt Disney World takes hurricane warnings very seriously.

If, in the event of a hurricane warning, or if a hurricane hits Walt Disney World, the Parks will close and Guests will stay inside their Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Cast Members will be in the lobby to entertain Guests, and Disney will ensure they provide as much magic as possible during the unprecedented time.

Per Disney, “If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort hotel packages and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney. Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates.”

Walt Disney World did not close for the recent Hurricane Idalia that hit the Sunshine State, and, in fact, has only closed its Orlando theme parks eight times for hurricanes since opening in 1971:

• 1985: Hurricane Elena
• 1999: Hurricane Floyd
• 2004: Hurricane Charlie
• 2004: Hurriance Francis
• 2004: Hurricane Jeanne
• 2016: Hurricane Matthew
• 2017: Hurricane Irma
• 2019: Hurriance Dorian
• 2022: Hurriance Ian

Florida and Walt Disney World will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Lee.