Lee is picking up speed as it moves north and is now about 290 miles southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts.

The rain will start to hit southeastern New England Friday evening with winds increasing overnight. The storm will last in the region through Saturday afternoon.

Lee, currently a Category 1 hurricane, is forecast to weaken to a tropical storm by Saturday afternoon.

The rough surf, big waves and dangerous rip currents will persist across much of the East Coast through Saturday.

Lee will likely come ashore in Canada -- in western Nova Scotia or western New Brunswick -- by Saturday afternoon or early evening.

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.

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.

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

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."

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 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.

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.

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.