Hurricane Lee updates: Storm makes landfall in Nova Scotia as post-tropical cyclone

Tropical storm warnings are in effect in parts of Maine.

Last Updated: September 16, 2023, 4:33 PM EDT

Lee made landfall as a post-tropical cyclone in Nova Scotia Saturday afternoon, after downgrading from a Category 1 hurricane.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for portions of Maine.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Sep 15, 2023, 2:57 PM EDT

Tropical storm warnings in effect along New England coast

Hurricane Lee will pick up speed over the next 24 hours as it races up the East Coast.

Tropical storm warnings are in effect along the coast from Massachusetts to Maine. Coastal flood advisories and high surf advisories are also in effect.

The rain will begin in southeastern New England Friday night, with winds strengthening overnight. Wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible in Cape Cod and Nantucket.

Lee, now a Category 1 hurricane, is forecast to weaken to a tropical storm on Saturday.

Most of the rain and wind will hit southeastern New England on Saturday and then shift toward Maine later in the day.

PHOTO: Timing Lee - Saturday AM
ABC News

The rough surf will likely persist along New England's coast through Saturday night, but major flooding is not expected.

Lee is forecast to reach the shore in Canada, in western Nova Scotia or western New Brunswick, by Saturday afternoon or early evening.

By Sunday morning, the impacts from Lee will be ending in Maine and Nova Scotia.

Sep 15, 2023, 12:57 PM EDT

Massachusetts declares state of emergency

Massachusetts has joined Maine in declaring a state of emergency as Hurricane Lee approaches.

This satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Lee in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 15, 2023.
NOAA via AP

A tropical storm warning has been issued in the state. The rain will begin Friday night in Massachusetts, starting on Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard after 9 p.m. and reaching Boston after midnight.

"Drivers should plan ahead if traveling during severe weather," Gov. Maura Healey tweeted. "Heavy equipment, pumps and generators are fueled up and ready to be deployed if needed and emergency crews are on standby."

PHOTO: Hurricane Lee rainfall forecast.
ABC News

Sep 15, 2023, 11:35 AM EDT

Lee's strong winds to reach New England by Friday afternoon

Lee, now a Category 1 hurricane, is located about 395 miles south of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and is threatening the East Coast with huge waves.

A surfer prepares for higher than normal wave height on September 14, 2023 in Lido Beach, New York.
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

A tropical storm warning has been issued from Massachusetts to Maine, and on Friday afternoon, tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph or higher are expected to begin in New England.

PHOTO: Hurricane Lee latest alerts.
ABC News

The rain will begin Friday night in Massachusetts, starting on Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard after 9 p.m. and reaching Boston after midnight.

Lee will bring some minor storm surge Friday night. Waters could rise 1 to 3 feet from Long Island to Maine.

PHOTO: Storm surge forecast.
ABC News

By late Saturday afternoon, Lee is expected to move into Canada, hitting the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia areas as an extra-tropical storm.

By Saturday night, Lee will move away from land.

Sep 15, 2023, 7:59 AM EDT

Huge waves will be main threat for New England on Friday

With Hurricane Lee forecast to get closer to New England by Friday night, huge waves could batter East Coast beaches and coastal communities.

Waves up to 16 feet will be possible in Long Island, New York, on Friday and Saturday.

The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning from Massachusetts to Maine.

Wind-whipped rain will begin to fall in far southeastern New England near Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard after 9 p.m. ET on Friday and in Boston after midnight.

Lee will push minor storm surge into the coastal Northeast areas, from Long Island to Maine, where water will rise 1 to 3 feet and some minor coastal flooding will be possible.

The worst conditions on Cape Cod and in Boston will be Friday night into Saturday morning with gusty winds, some rain, huge waves and minor coastal flooding.

-ABC News' Max Golembo

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