Weather officials can't say yet how it will impact the U.S. coast, but warnings and watches are in effect for the Bahamas as the storm heads southwest at 6 mph. Joaquin will move west-southwest or southwest tonight and then turn northwest and slow down Thursday or Thursday night.
This morning, models showed the center of the storm passing about 130 miles off North Carolina on Sunday and Virginia on Monday.
The storm strengthened through the day Tuesday with sustained winds going from 40 mph early in the day to 70 mph earlier today. Additional strengthening is expected over the next 48 hours. It could become a major hurricane in the next couple of days, according to the hurricane center.
Tropical storm force winds extend out 125 miles from the center of the storm and hurricane force winds extend out about 35 miles.
It could drop 5 to 10 inches of rain with up to 20 inches in isolated spots over San Salvador, the hurricane center says. The Bahamas likely will see less.
A cold front expected to cross the region today from the Great Lakes will drop temperatures into the 70s on Thursday, but also is expected to bring heavy rain this afternoon. We could see 3 to 6 inches of rain by the time it meanders off the coast.
The chances for rain grow higher each day, with showers at 60 percent today, and heavier rain expected Thursday into the weekend. The weekend also brings wind with the rain with Joaquin on the way.
Tidal flooding is expected to continue and could be moderate this weekend as the front stalls.
If Joaquin comes closer to the coast or directly impacts the region, tidal flooding could be more severe.
The National Weather Service is warning swimmers about the high risk of rip currents along Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Rough surf with waves up to 5 feet also increases the risk of head and neck injuries.
©2015 The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Va.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
