Tropical Storm Joaquin Strengthening But Not Quite A Hurricane Yet

Tropical Storm Joaquin continues to strengthen as he meanders west toward the Bahamas and may become a Category 1 hurricane in the next 12-24 hours.As of late Tuesday evening, the strong Tropical Storm's maximum sustained winds were up to 70 m.p.h. just short of the 74 m.p.h. threshold to be called a Hurricane. Joaquin will eventually take a more northerly turn later this week with possible impacts from the Carolinas north into New England.

Tropical Storm Joaquin is spinning over the open waters of the western Atlantic Ocean several hundred miles east of the northwestern Bahamas. Wind shear over the tropical cyclone will limit the amount of strengthening that can occur during the next few days. Despite the wind shear, very warm water surrounding the tropical storm will allow some strengthening to continue over the next several days. A deepening trough over the eastern United States will begin to steer Joaquin to the north this week, likely paralleling the East Coast. There is concern that Joaquin will make landfall along the U.S. coast, but potential impact points range from the Carolinas to New England. While uncertainty remains in the exact track, coastal flooding and beach erosion will be a significant threat from the Carolinas northward into New England late this week and weekend. In addition to coastal impacts, tropical moisture drawn into the East from Joaquin can enhance rainfall. The enhanced rain could bring flooding and exacerbate an already wet week for the region. All interests along the East Coast should stay informed on the latest developments on this system.

Meanwhile, the prospects for development across the eastern Gulf of Mexico are essentially over, but tropical moisture will stream northward across the East. This will lead to rounds of heavy rain from the Southeast into the Northeast Tuesday night into Wednesday.

Elsewhere, the remnants of Ida are producing an area of downpours and thunderstorms well southeast of Bermuda. Any development in this area will be slow this week.

By AccuWeather Meteorologist Andy Mussoline and updated by AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jack Boston