Ragged Eye Of Hurricane Joaquin Passing Just West Of Bermuda
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The ragged eye of Hurricane Joaquin is passing just to the west of Bermuda.
At 5:00 p.m., the center of the Category 2 hurricane was about 150 miles west of Bermuda.
Recent data from an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have decreased near 100 mph with higher gusts. Additional weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 205 miles. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely tonight, but Joaquin is forecast to gradually weaken during the next 48 hours.
Joaquin is moving toward the north-northeast near 14 mph, and this general motion with a slight decrease in forward is expected to continue through Monday. On the forecast track, the center of Joaquin will pass just west of Bermuda this evening, and pass north of Bermuda tonight.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Bermuda.
Tropical storm conditions will continue to affect Bermuda through tonight, with hurricane conditions expected later this evening.
Joaquin is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 5 inches across Bermuda through tonight.
Isolated tornadoes are possible on Bermuda this evening.
A dangerous and life-threatening storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding in Bermuda. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
Swells generated by Joaquin will continue to affect portions of the Bahamas during the next few days. Swells are affecting much of the southeastern and mid-Atlantic coasts of the United States and will spread northward along the east coast of the United States through Monday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Even though Joaquin is expected to pass well east of the coast of the United States, a prolonged period of elevated water levels and large waves will affect the mid-Atlantic region, causing significant beach and dune erosion with moderate coastal flooding likely.
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