The first evidence of Hurricane Lenny has begun to appear in Puerto Rico, where the outer rain bands of the Category 2 storm are spreading across the commonwealth, with weather conditions expected to deteriorate as the day progresses.
Hurricane warnings are in effect for Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands as Lenny continues its eastward movement.
The storm is expected to take a gradual turn to the northeast later today. On this track, it will be heading for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Wednesday.
Based on recent projections from the National Hurricane Center, tropical storm winds should arrive in the Virgin Islands by 2 a.m. Wednesday with hurricane conditions becoming apparent a few hours later.
The closest point of approach is projected to be some six miles southwest of the Virgin Islands, around 10 a.m. Wednesday.
The atypical November hurricane continues to pack sustained winds of 100 mph and is maintaining an easterly movement at 16 miles an hour. Stronger winds could be experienced in mountainous areas. The strongest winds will affect unprotected south- and west-facing harbors.
Of greater concern to hurricane specialists and emergency planners is the vast amount of rainfall associated with this hurricane: totals of 10 to 15 inches.
Most of the significant rainfall remains over the open water at the present time but will likely affect portions of Hispanola and Puerto Rico today. In fact, Doppler weather radar indicates bands of heavy squalls already spreading across Puerto Rico.
At 2 p.m. local time, the center of Hurricane Lenny was located near latitude 15.4 north, longitude 69.1 west, or about 300 miles southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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