Hurricane Lee (2023)

Meteorological history

Hurricane Lee originated from a tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa in early September 2023. The system organized into Tropical Depression Thirteen by 12:00 UTC on September 5, located roughly halfway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles. It quickly strengthened, becoming Tropical Storm Lee just six hours later and then a hurricane by the evening of September 6. The storm tracked west-northwestward, steered by a mid-level ridge of high pressure to its north. Highly favourable atmospheric conditions and warm sea surface temperatures then triggered a period of explosive rapid intensification.

On September 7, Lee's maximum sustained winds increased by 80 mph (130 km/h) in just 24 hours, catapulting it to Category 5 status with peak winds of 165 mph (270 km/h). This ranked it as the sixth-fastest intensifying Atlantic hurricane on record. However, increasing wind shear quickly disrupted the storm's structure, weakening it back to a Category 4 hurricane by September 8. The hurricane underwent multiple eyewall replacement cycles over the following days, causing its intensity to fluctuate between Category 3 and Category 4 strength as it continued its trans-Atlantic journey.

By September 13, Lee rounded the western side of a subtropical ridge and turned northward. As it accelerated north, it encountered increasing wind shear and cooler ocean waters, which had recently been churned up by prior hurricanes. This caused a steady weakening trend. Lee passed about 185 miles (300 km) west of Bermuda as a Category 1 hurricane on September 14. The storm completed its transition into an extratropical cyclone by 06:00 UTC on September 16. The post-tropical cyclone then made a series of landfalls in Atlantic Canada, affecting Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland, before moving into the far northern Atlantic and merging with another low-pressure system on September 18.

Preparations in Canada

As Hurricane Lee approached, Environment Canada issued a series of watches and warnings for the Maritimes. A hurricane watch was declared for Grand Manan and Coastal Charlotte County in New Brunswick, as well as for Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne, and Queens counties in Nova Scotia. A broader tropical storm watch covered southeastern New Brunswick and additional parts of central and western Nova Scotia. Officials warned that due to the storm's broad circulation, impacts would be felt up to 300 kilometres away from its track. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened the federal Incident Response Group on September 15 to discuss the storm's potential impacts and urged Canadians to take precautions.

Provincial utilities mobilized response crews in anticipation of widespread power outages. NB Power and Nova Scotia Power positioned crews throughout their respective provinces, and Maritime Electric did the same in Prince Edward Island. Travel disruptions began ahead of the storm, with Bay Ferries cancelling sailings of the MV Fundy Rose between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and Northumberland Ferries Limited cancelling crossings between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Air travel was significantly affected as the storm arrived, with most flights to and from Halifax Stanfield International Airport cancelled.

Many flights were also cancelled at the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport and Fredericton International Airport. Cruise ship arrivals at the Port of Saint John were also cancelled. New Brunswick's Emergency Measures Organization director warned residents of hazardous driving conditions and urged them to stay home if possible. Environment Canada forecasted the strongest impacts for the evening of September 16, with lingering conditions into Sunday.

Impact on Atlantic Canada

Hurricane Lee brought strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surge to Atlantic Canada as a post-tropical storm on September 16 and 17. The most significant damage was caused by hurricane-force wind gusts that downed countless trees and power lines across the region. In Nova Scotia, nearly 200,000 customers lost electricity, representing the largest concentration of outages. A utility pole caught fire in Stoney Island, and coastal roads on the Eastern Shore were inundated or destroyed by storm surge. The boardwalk at Rissers Beach Provincial Park suffered extensive damage from surge and waves.

In New Brunswick, power outages peaked at approximately 37,000 customers. Trees were felled throughout the province, sometimes taking utility poles and wires with them. Low-lying areas in Saint John and Fredericton experienced flooding from the heavy rainfall. The highest wind gust recorded in Canada from the storm was 73 mph (117 km/h) at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. While structural damage was generally minimal, the combined effects of wind, rain, and surge led to an estimated $30 million in damages across the Canadian provinces affected.

The storm's large size generated dangerous marine conditions. Environment Canada had warned of waves reaching 4 to 6 metres along the Atlantic coast of mainland Nova Scotia and higher than normal water levels along the Fundy coast of New Brunswick. Gale and storm warnings were in effect for southwestern marine areas. The overall impact in Canada was characterized by widespread but mostly minor property damage, significant tree fall, and prolonged power outages for tens of thousands of residents.

Impact on the United States and Bermuda

While the core of Hurricane Lee remained offshore, its large wind field generated dangerous surf and rip currents along the entire Atlantic coast of the United States. These conditions led to multiple fatalities. A 15-year-old boy drowned in rough surf off Fernandina Beach, Florida, on September 15. In New Jersey, a 21-year-old man was killed on September 14 when the boat he was in capsized in Manasquan Inlet after being hit by a tall wave. His body washed ashore days later. A third fatality occurred in Searsport, Maine, where a 50-year-old man died when a tree fell onto his vehicle.

The northeastern United States experienced gusty winds, coastal erosion, and power outages. In Maine, approximately 94,000 customers lost power at the peak of the storm. Heavy rain fell across the state, with a peak measurement of 6.50 inches (165 mm) in Steuben. Wind damage was widespread in southeastern Maine, with numerous trees down, including one that fell across a portion of State Route 11 in Aroostook County, forcing a road closure. A whale watching vessel in Bar Harbor broke free and crashed ashore, requiring authorities to offload its diesel fuel to prevent a spill. Total damage in the United States is estimated at $50 million.

Bermuda experienced tropical storm conditions as Lee passed to the west. L.F. Wade International Airport reported peak winds of 51 mph (82 km/h) and was closed for a period. The Royal Naval Dockyard also suffered damage, leading to ferry delays. Earlier in the storm's lifecycle, a 66-year-old man drowned in rip currents at Poza del Obispo in Puerto Rico.

Forecasting and rapid intensification

Lee far exceeded this threshold, with its winds increasing by 80 mph (130 km/h) in the 24-hour period ending on the morning of September 8, 2023. This explosive strengthening propelled it from Category 1 to Category 5 status, making it the sixth-fastest intensifying Atlantic hurricane in recorded history at the time. The event highlighted the forecasting challenges associated with such rapid changes in storm strength. Meteorologists attributed the intensification to a combination of very favourable conditions, including exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear. Data from NASA's Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface Temperature project showed waters well above the 27.8 degrees Celsius threshold needed to sustain and intensify hurricanes. The 2023 Atlantic season featured record-warm ocean temperatures, influenced by long-term climate change and El Niño conditions in the Pacific, which provided ample fuel for storms like Lee. The subsequent weakening and eventual extratropical transition of Lee were also closely monitored by forecasters.

Forecast models correctly predicted that Hurricane Lee would turn northward and expand in size as it moved over cooler waters. The storm's broad wind field meant its impacts were spread over a large area, even as its centre passed offshore. The accurate tracking of Lee's path allowed for timely warnings in Bermuda, New England, and Atlantic Canada. However, predicting the storm's exact intensity and the location of its heaviest rains remained complex challenges for forecasters during the event.

Government and emergency response

Government response to Hurricane Lee involved coordinated efforts at municipal, provincial, state, and federal levels. In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's activation of the Incident Response Group underscored the federal government's attention to the storm's potential severity. Provincial emergency measures organizations in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia provided regular public updates and coordinated with utility companies to pre-position repair crews. This preparation was crucial for the rapid response to the hundreds of thousands of power outages that subsequently occurred.

In the United States, several states declared states of emergency ahead of the storm. Maine Governor Janet Mills declared a state of emergency and successfully requested an emergency disaster declaration from President Joe Biden. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey also declared a state of emergency and activated 50 members of the National Guard. New York Governor Kathy Hochul deployed 50 National Guard members to Long Island. These declarations allowed for the mobilization of resources, waived regulations to expedite recovery, and facilitated potential federal reimbursement for response costs.

Local authorities implemented various protective measures. Towns in coastal Massachusetts prohibited swimming and closed beaches. The Steamship Authority waived change and cancellation fees for ferries. In Maine, utility workers were brought in from other states to assist with power restoration. Public safety messaging consistently urged residents to stay off roads, avoid the water, and prepare for extended power outages. The multi-jurisdictional response aimed to mitigate the storm's impacts on life, property, and critical infrastructure.

Place in the 2023 hurricane season

Hurricane Lee was the strongest and deadliest storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. The season had a total of seven hurricanes, three of which reached major hurricane status (Category 3 or higher). Lee's peak as a Category 5 hurricane placed it at the top of the season's intensity scale. Its long track from the eastern Atlantic to Atlantic Canada, along with its significant impacts on both the United States and Canada, made it one of the most notable storms of the year.

The storm's behaviour, particularly its rapid intensification, contributed to ongoing scientific discussions about hurricane trends in a warming climate. The record-warm sea surface temperatures that fuelled Lee's growth were consistent with broader oceanic warming patterns. While no single storm can be directly attributed to climate change, Lee served as a case study in how favourable oceanic and atmospheric conditions can combine to produce extreme events. Its evolution from a tropical cyclone to a large, damaging post-tropical system also demonstrated the broad hazards that such storms can pose to mid-latitude regions like Atlantic Canada. Its impacts reinforced the importance of preparedness for both tropical and post-tropical systems in the region. The storm's total damage was estimated at $80 million, which included $30 million in Canada. This financial cost reflected widespread but generally moderate structural effects, which were overshadowed by the human cost of five fatalities.

Questions about Hurricane Lee (2023)

How strong was Hurricane Lee at its peak?

Hurricane Lee reached its peak intensity as a Category 5 hurricane. Its maximum sustained winds reached 165 mph (270 km/h), which was an increase of 80 mph (130 km/h) in 24 hours. During this time, the hurricane's minimum barometric pressure fell to 926 mbar (27.34 inHg). This rapid intensification made it the sixth fastest intensifying Atlantic hurricane on record.

How many people lost power in Canada due to Hurricane Lee?

Hurricane Lee caused extensive power outages across Atlantic Canada. In Nova Scotia, nearly 200,000 customers lost electricity. In New Brunswick, power outages peaked at approximately 37,000 customers. Additional outages also occurred in Prince Edward Island, where utility crews were stationed to respond.

Why did Hurricane Lee weaken before reaching Canada?

Hurricane Lee weakened due to a combination of factors as it moved north. It encountered increasing vertical wind shear, which disrupted its structure, and it moved over progressively cooler ocean waters. These cooler waters had been churned up by earlier hurricanes, Franklin and Idalia. The storm also began to interact with the mid-latitude westerly wind flow, which prompted its transition into a large, non-tropical low-pressure system.

What were the main types of damage caused by Hurricane Lee in Atlantic Canada?

The main damage in Atlantic Canada came from strong winds with hurricane force gusts, which caused widespread downed trees and power lines. Coastal areas in Nova Scotia experienced storm surge which destroyed some roadways and a boardwalk in the Halifax area. Low lying areas in New Brunswick, such as Saint John and Fredericton, also suffered from flooding. These impacts led to approximately 200,000 power outages in the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Where did Hurricane Lee make landfall in Canada?

Hurricane Lee made landfalls in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. After transitioning into an extratropical cyclone on September 16, 2023, the storm moved across these provinces. This progression occurred as the system accelerated northward, having turned around a large ridge of high pressure over the Atlantic. The cyclone's impacts in these regions included hurricane force wind gusts, flooding rains, and widespread power outages before it moved out into the far northern Atlantic on September 18 and merged with another extratropical low.

What was the fastest wind gust recorded in Canada from Hurricane Lee?

The fastest wind gust recorded in Canada from Hurricane Lee was 73 mph (117 km/h). This measurement was taken at Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Nova Scotia. The storm produced strong winds with hurricane force gusts as it passed through Atlantic Canada, causing widespread but minimal damage primarily in the form of downed trees and power lines. In Nova Scotia alone, nearly 200,000 customers lost electricity due to the cyclone. The winds contributed to an estimated $30 million in total damages across Canada.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Your Space Hamilton desk. Last updated 2026-10-23.