Hurricane Joaquin has become a Category 3 storm with winds reaching approximately 115 MPH, according to the National Weather Service.

From the NWS: A turn toward the northwest and north is forecast Thursday night or Friday. The center of Joaquin is expected to move near or over portions of the central Bahamas overnight and Thursday, and be near or over portions of the Northwestern Bahamas Thursday night or Friday.

Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter Aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph (185 km/h) with higher gusts. Joaquin is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next day or so. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible Thursday night and Friday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km).

Though Joaquin’s path is still uncertain, NJ officials are already urging residents to take precautions for what could become another Sandy-style storm.

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