As hurricane Lee stirs in the Atlantic Ocean, multiple computer-generated forecasts, known as ‘spaghetti models,’ suggest that the powerful storm could hit Canada’s Maritimes. However, meteorologist Chris Fogarty from the Canadian Hurricane Centre in Halifax has cautioned that these long-range models may not be reliable at this stage. The spaghetti models, named for their complex and scattered appearance, can become confusing and less accurate beyond about five days. Fogarty emphasized the case of hurricane Franklin earlier this month, where the 10-day spaghetti model indicated a potential trajectory towards Atlantic Canada, but the actual track took the storm out to sea. He warned that such models could be misleading, and the Canadian Hurricane Centre does not display them on their website or social media to avoid confusing the public. Instead, the centre provides a five-day forecast. As of now, it’s unclear whether hurricane Lee will impact the U.S. East Coast, Atlantic Canada, or Bermuda late next week.
Hurricane Lee reached Category 5 status before being downgraded to Category 4, with winds reaching 250 kilometers per hour, as it moved through the northeast Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center warned of hurricane-force winds and dangerous surf, although the storm’s exact path remains uncertain.
Another tropical storm named Margot formed to the east of Lee but is expected to remain far from Canada and the United States.