Joaquin Becomes a Category 4 Hurricane

Thursday afternoon Joaquin was upgraded to a Category 4 Hurricane with sustained winds of 130 mph. This morning, Hurricane Joaquin is drifting northwest, and is expected to begin a faster northward motion later today, followed by a turn to the northeast and forward speed tonight and Saturday. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next 24 hours. By Saturday Joaquin will begin to weaken, as the storm enters slightly cooler sea surface temperatures. Here are several projected paths. Notice several of these members diverge heading northeast across the Mid-Atlantic waters, while some show a track towards the eastern shore, including South Carolina and North Carolina.

Regardless of Joaquin’s track, a prolonged period of elevated water levels and large waves will affect the Mid-Atlantic Region, causing significant beach erosion. Flash Flood Watches are in effect for all of South Carolina and North Carolina’s coasts as rainfall amounts from 7 to 14″ is possible over the weekend.