East Coast Braces For Possible Flooding From Hurricane Joaquin

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Hurricane Joaquin has strengthened a little as it heads toward the central Bahamas, and the latest forecast takes the storm off of the east coast over the next few days.

Currently the storm is a category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of about 80 mph.

KDKA-TV meteorologist Ron Smiley says, "at this point the official forecast calls for Joaquin to slowly drift east of the Florida Peninsula over the next 24 hours before picking up steam as a category two storm and pushing north."

This track would eventually take Joaquin off the east coast of Virginia by Sunday as it weakens and merges with a cold front sitting along the coast.

While there is a lot of uncertainty on where exactly Joaquin will head, those along the east coast should be prepared to see flooding rains over the weekend.

Using the current track for a weekend forecast points to 1 – 2 additional inches of rain falling over the weekend in Pittsburgh.

The heaviest rain may arrive late Saturday into Sunday morning.

Once again there is a lot of uncertainty with this system and potential weekend rain totals will change based on the final track of the storm.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

In:
• Hurricane Joaquin
• Flooding
• Pittsburgh