Hurricane Joaquin has developed in the Atlantic Ocean, and is now the 10 named storm of the season.
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Forecasters expected the storm to drop about 3-5 inches (8-13 centimeters) in the central Bahamas, including Long Island and Exuma.
Now a Category 1 hurricane with winds up to 75 miles per hour, Joaquin is located 245 miles northeast of the central Bahamas.
The National Hurricane Center says, “A general motion toward the west-southwest or southwest is expected to continue through tonight”. A turn to the west with a decrease in speed is expected on Thursday.
Forecasters said Wednesday that computer models show Joaquin peaking in intensity in about three days, then a slow weakening trend is expected to begin.
Whether or not hurricane Joaquin approaches the United States or not, there will be several potential impacts to the east coast.
Wind Impacts: Expect gusty winds today (gust from the south around 30 mph); this will lead to high surf along the south coast and the shore Narragansett Bay.
There are various weather models alternately predicting the storm heading out to sea or closer into the coast, said National Weather Service meteorologist Jeff Orrock. Storm Team4 Tom Kierein says the rain will move into the area Thursday afternoon, bringing cooler temperatures and blustery winds to the region. A wide range of scenarios is possible – and Joaquin could avoid the USA altogether.
Rain chances remain out of the forecast through early next week. Hurricane warnings have been posted for the Bahamas.
According to the report, confidence in the details of the track forecast late in the period remains low, since the environmental steering currents are complex and the model guidance is inconsistent.
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But even before Joaquin arrives on the East Coast, an area between Maine and North Carolina was already set for a rainy forecast Tuesday night and moving into Wednesday.
