The path of Hurricane Joaquin could be heading toward New York City and the East Coast.
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The storm is producing hurricane force winds extending out 50 miles from the center.
Forecasters say hurricane conditions are expected to reach portions of the central Bahamas, and the area could see total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches because of the storm.
A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast Thursday night, followed by a turn toward the north and an increase in forward speed on Friday.
For now, the system is expected to bypass Florida because a cold front – forecast to bring slightly cooler weather to the state this weekend – should push the system north by Saturday.
The GFS’s earlier prediction that the storm would make landfall in the United States ran counter to the European model, which has been consistently saying the hurricane would remain largely over water.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for: Central Bahamas, Northwestern Bahamas including the Abacos, Berry Islands, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and New Providence.
Hurricane Joaquin gathered strength on Thursday as it pushed toward the Bahamas, with forecasts still inconclusive on whether the storm would slam into the U.S. East Coast or head to sea without making landfall, the National Hurricane Center said.
Hurricane Joaquin is now an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm with 130 miles per hour winds. It is the first major Hurricane to hit the Bahamas in October in more than 30 years.
Although Hurricane Joaquin intensified Thursday afternoon, it will not become another Sandy if the current projections are maintained.
A major hurricane is Category 3 or higher, with winds of at least 111 miles per hour.
Forecasters remain divided on whether Joaquin will touch land along the East Coast, but it is expected to strengthen into a Category 4 storm late Thursday, according to AccuWeather.com. The central Bahamas could also receive between 10 to 20 inches of rain on the same day, the report relays.
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“Everyone is just trying to get their stuff battened down”, said Frances Missick, chief councillor of Rum Cay, which has a population of about 100 and 40 homes.
