Experts predict that with ocean temperatures at record highs and the global climate shifting into a hazardous La Niña pattern this year, the result could be one of the worst hurricane seasons on record.

The Island saw some rain and winds, but only experienced a handful of power outages and canceled ferries Friday night into Saturday.

The hurricane is projected to pass to the east of the Vineyard and Nantucket Saturday, bringing strong winds and high surf.

With Hurricane Lee expected to pass offshore of Martha’s Vineyard Saturday, the National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning for Dukes County. The storm could hit the Island with tropical storm-force winds within the next 36 hours.

The storm, a category 3 hurricane as of Wednesday afternoon, is poised to lose some of its strength as it moves over colder Atlantic waters, but Islanders are readying themselves for strong winds this weekend.

For the seventh straight year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting an active hurricane season, amid warming ocean temperatures and shifting weather patterns across the globe.

The Vineyard was spared major damage from the daylong blizzard that swept across the Island Saturday, town and emergency managers said.

Martha’s Vineyard began digging out early Sunday after a daylong blizzard lashed the Island with high winds and drifting snow.

Blizzard warnings and travel advisories were up on Martha’s Vineyard Friday as a powerful northeast winter storm made its way up the mid-Atlantic. The Steamship Authority announced that all ferry service would be suspended Saturday.

Crews were working around the clock on cleanup efforts after a ferocious northeaster swept across the Island early in the week, packing hurricane-force winds.