 With winds of 60 mph ( 95 km / h ) and strengthening , the subtropical storm initially drifted northeastward . On December 13 , a ridge of high pressure to its north forced the storm southeastward , and the following day the storm turned to the south after an upper @-@ level cold @-@ core low developed over the system . A break in the ridge resulted in the storm turning to the northeast , with its forward motion accelerating to nearly 40 mph ( 65 km / h ) . After turning to the northwest on December 17 , the high pressure system again halted its northward movement , leaving the storm drifting south @-@ southeastward . Conditions favored further strengthening , and the subtropical storm reached 70 mph ( 115 km / h ) winds on December 18 . Satellite imagery estimated the storm attained hurricane status on December 19 , and a day later ship near the center reported winds of 75 mph ( 120 km / h ) . Based on the wind report , as well as a minimum central pressure of 980 mbar and a well @-@ defined eye , the storm was classified as Hurricane Lili while located 730 miles ( 1 @,@ 180 km ) east of Bermuda . 
