The depression that formed late Sunday night has become Tropical Storm Joaquin, the tenth named storm of the season.

Located about 360 miles east of the Bahamas, the storm has winds of 70 mph and is moving slowly to the west-southwest.

It is something to watch, but it appears this storm should not impact Florida other than generate some higher surf along the Atlantic coast.

  • Location at 11 p.m. Tuesday: 25.8 N, 71.7 W
  • How far is it?
    • 405 miles E of the northwestern Bahamas
    • 576 miles ESE of Cape Canaveral
  • Winds: 70 mph
  • Movement: WSW at 5 mph
  • Pressure: 988 mb / 29.18 inches

Elsewhere, low pressure in the Gulf of Mexico is in an unfavorable atmosphere for strengthening and will only be responsible for bringing us locally heavy rain the next couple of days.


Tropical Storm Joaquin Advisory

5 p.m. — Joaquin continues to strengthen.

Watches and Warnings

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...

  • central Bahamas

Discussion and 48-hour outlook

At 11 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Joaquin was located near latitude 25.8 north, longitude 71.7 west. Joaquin is moving toward the west-southwest near 5 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Joaquin is expected to move near or over portions of the central Bahamas Wednesday night or Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 70 mph, with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Joaquin is forecast to become a hurricane later tonight or Wednesday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles mainly to the east of the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 988 mb (29.18 inches).

Hazards affecting land

wind: tropical storm conditions could reach portions of the central Bahamas by Wednesday night, with hurricane conditions possible by late Wednesday night or early Thursday.

Rainfall: Joaquin is expected to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches possible over San Salvador and Rum Cay through Thursday morning. Rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches are possible over the remainder of the central Bahamas through Thursday morning, with 1 to 2 inches expected over the northwest and southeast Bahamas.

Surf: swells generated by Joaquin will affect portions of the Bahamas during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Next Advisory

The next complete advisory is at 5 a.m.

Watch our exclusive Storm Threat 2015 special on Bright House Networks Local on Demand, Channel 999.