MIAMI, FL, U.S.A. (NHC | 11:00PM) -- At 1100 PM EDT (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Joaquin was located near latitude 23.8 North, longitude 73.1 West. Joaquin is moving toward the southwest near 6 mph (9 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue over the next 24 hours. A turn toward the northwest and north is forecast Thursday night or Friday. The center of Joaquin is expected to move near or over portions of the central Bahamas overnight and Thursday, and be near or over portions of the Northwestern Bahamas Thursday night or Friday.
Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter Aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph (185 km/h) with higher gusts. Joaquin is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next day or so. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible Thursday night and Friday.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km).
The latest minimum central pressure estimated from reconnaissance data is 951 mb (28.09 inches).
Hazards Affecting Land
- Wind: Hurricane conditions are expected to reach portions of the Central Bahamas by early Thursday morning. Winds are expected to first reach tropical storm strength in the WARNING area tonight, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the southeastern Bahamas beginning tonight. Hurricane conditions are expected over portions of the Northwestern Bahamas Thursday night or Friday.
- Storm Surge: A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 5 to 8 feet above normal tide levels in the Central Bahamas in areas of onshore flow. A storm surge of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels is expected in the Northwest Bahamas within the Hurricane WARNING area, and 1 to 2 feet is expected in the Southeast Bahamas. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.
- Rainfall: Joaquin is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches over the central Bahamas and 5 to 10 inches over the northwestern Bahamas and southeastern Bahamas. Isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches are possible in the central Bahamas. This rainfall could result in life-threatening flash floods.
- Surf: Swells generated by Joaquin will affect portions of the Bahamas during the next few days, and will begin to affect portions of the southeastern coast of the United States by Thursday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
WATCHES And WARNINGS
The government of the Bahamas has issued a Tropical Storm WARNING and a Hurricane WATCH for Andros Island.
Summary Of WATCHES And WARNINGS In Effect:
A Hurricane WARNING is in effect for...
- Central Bahamas including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador
- Northwestern Bahamas including the Abacos, Berry Islands, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and New Providence
A Hurricane WATCH is in effect for...
- Bimini
- Andros Island
A Tropical Storm WARNING is in effect for...
- Southeastern Bahamas including the Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana, and the Ragged Islands, but excluding the Turks and Caicos Islands.
- Andros Island
A Hurricane WARNING means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the WARNING area. Preparations to protect life and property should have already been completed in the Central Bahamas.
A Hurricane WATCH means that hurricane conditions are possible within the WATCH area.
A Tropical Storm WARNING means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the WARNING area.
For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service.