Hurricane Joaquin has been rapidly deepening over the last 24 hours and is now a Category 3 storm.

As Joaquin makes its way toward the Bahamas, hurricane force winds are expected to lash the islands Thursday, and Central Florida will begin to see some of the higher surf work its way toward our eastern shores.

Models still turn Joaquin system sharply to the north by Friday, quickly zipping it toward the mid-Atlantic or northeast by Sunday into Monday. Although staying well east of Florida, we will continue to watch it closely and bring you updates until we see the hurricane turn north.

  • Location at 11 p.m. Wednesday: 23.8 N, 73.1 W
  • How far is it?
    • 90 mi. E of San Salvador
    • 170 mi. E of the central Bahamas
    • 467 mi. ESE of Miami
    • 554 mi. ESE of Melbourne
    • 600 mi. ESE of Orlando
    • 616 mi. E of Daytona Beach
  • Winds: 115 mph
  • Movement: SW at 6 mph
  • Pressure: 951 mb / 28.09 inches


Hurricane Joaquin Advisory

11 p.m. — Joaquin becomes a category 3 hurricane as it moves toward the central Bahamas

Watches and Warnings

Changes with this advisory:

  • The government of the Bahamas has issued a Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch for Andros Island.

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, but excluding Andros Island and Bimini

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

  • Bimini
  • Andros Island

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.

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 Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.


Discussion and 48-hour outlook

At 11 p.m., 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, and this general motion is expected to continue over the next 24 hours. A turn toward the northwest and north is expected Thursday night and Friday. The center of Joaquin is expected to move near or over portions of the central Bahamas overnight and Thursday, and near or over portions of the northwestern Bahamas Thursday night or Friday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph, with higher gusts. 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 from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.

The estimated minimum central pressure 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 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore flow. 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.


Next Advisory
Next complete advisory at 5 a.m.

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