Live updates: Hurricane Lee bringing dangerous surf, rip currents to Florida beaches

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The National Hurricane Center continues to track Hurricane Lee and Tropical Storm Margot in the Atlantic. 

Follow along below for the latest updates:

Sept. 12 updates

5 p.m. Hurricane Lee update | Air Force Hurricane Hunters said Hurricane Lee is getting larger. Hazardous rip currents and surf is expected all week at beaches along the eastern U.S., including Florida.

Hurricane Lee was about 531 miles south of Bermuda with sustained winds of 115 mph - maintaining its Category 3 hurricane strength. It's moving northwest at 7 mph.

"Some slow weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours though the wind field is to remain large," the NHC said.

A tropical storm watch has been issued for Bermuda, which means tropical storm conditions are possible for the next 48 hours. 

5 p.m. Hurricane Margot update | Hurricane Margot was about 835 miles west-southwest of The Azores with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, holding its strength as a Category 1 hurricane. 

It's moving north at 14 mph. However, beyond Friday, the NHC is uncertain where Margot will go.

"A meandering northward motion is then expected on Thursday and Friday. Margot's track beyond Friday is unusually uncertain, but a slow meandering motion is generally expected into the weekend," NHC said.

11 a.m. Hurricane Lee update | A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Bermuda and hazardous surf and rip current conditions are expected at beaches across the western Atlantic as Lee continues to churn in the Atlantic Ocean as a powerful Cat. 3 hurricane.

Hurricane Lee is currently located about 555 miles south of Bermuda and is moving west-northwest at 6 mph. Its maximum sustained winds are 115 mph. 

11 a.m. Hurricane Margot update | Margot has redeveloped a fairly clear eye as the Cat. 1 storm heads north at 12 mph.

Margot has maximum sustained winds near 85 mph and little change in strength is expected for the next several days, but short term fluctions, up or down, are possible, the NHC said. 

5 a.m. Hurricane Margot update | Margot continues to strengthen as it moves towards the north at near 13 mph. Its maximum sustained winds have increased to near 85 mph and additional strengthening is forecast during the next day or so. 

It may likely begin to weaken on Thursday, the NHC said. 

5 a.m. Hurricane Lee update | Lee remains a large and powerful Cat. 3 hurricane, though gradual weakening is forecast during the next few days. 

The hurricane is producing dangerous surf and rip currents conditions along portions of the southeastern U.S. coast, and these conditions are forecast to spread northward along much of the U.S. East Coast during the next couple of days.

Sept. 11 updates:

5 p.m. Hurricane Margot update | Tropical Storm Margot has strengthened to a hurricane, becoming the fifth hurricane of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The NHC said Hurricane Margot has sustained winds of 75 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. It's about 1,265 miles northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and is traveling north at 12 mph.

Margot is expected to get stronger over the next 48 hours, the NHC said.

5 p.m. Hurricane Lee update | Hurricane Lee remains a major hurricane – Category 3 – with 115 sustained winds. It's about 380 miles north of the Northern Leeward Islands and 600 miles south of Bermuda.

It's moving west-northwest at 7 mph.

While it will avoid Florida and the southeastern U.S., it is expected to bring dangerous and life-threating surf and rip currents to Florida's eastern coast and the U.S. east coast.

11 a.m. update

Tropical Storm Margot is almost a hurricane

Tropical Storm Margot is approaching hurricane status, according to the National Hurricane Center's latest update. 

Margot is located about 1,245 miles northwest of the Cape Verde Islands and is currently moving north at 10 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph; a Category 1 storm has winds of at least 74 mph. 

This tropical storm is expected to become a hurricane later today and could continue to strengthen over the next few days.

There are no coastal warnings or watches in effect. 

Hurricane Lee hangs on as a major hurricane

Hurricane Lee remains a major hurricane as it treks through the Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Center's latest update. 

Lee, a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, is located about 365 miles north of the northern Leeward Islands and over 615 miles south of Bermuda. 

The storm is expected to strengthen over the next day before it gradually weakens. 

In a few days, Lee is expected to pass near, but to the west, of Bermuda. 

While the storm is not expected to directly impact Florida at this time, the FOX 35 Storm Team said Hurricane Lee will bring dangerous surf all week, peaking on Thursday with surf up to 7-8 feet. Beach conditions are expected to improve by next weekend. 

Two more disturbances brewing in Atlantic, expected to merge together

The NHC is also tracking two disturbances brewing in the Atlantic. 

There's a weak area of low pressure several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands producing disorganized showers and thunderstorm activity. 

This storm is not likely to develop (10%) before it merges with another tropical wave to its east over the next couple of days. 

The tropical wave is located between the Cape Verde Islands and the west coast of Africa. It's producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms and environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development (60%). 

A tropical depression could form by this weekend as it moves over the central tropical Atlantic. 

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