MIAMI – Joaquin strengthened to a ********* Wednesday morning as it nears the Bahamas.

A ********* warning has been issued for the central Bahamas as the storm approaches.

********* Joaquin’s maximum sustained winds increased to near 75 mph (120 kph). The U.S. National ********* Center says additional strengthening is expected over the next two days.

The storm is centred about 245 miles (395 kilometres) east-northeast of the central Bahamas and is moving southwest near 6 mph (9 kph). Joaquin’s centre is expected to pass over or near the central Bahamas Wednesday night or Thursday.

Meanwhile in the Pacific, Marty has weakened to a tropical depression as it moves away from Mexico’s coast.

Marty’s maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 35 mph (55 kph) and it’s expected to weaken to a remnant low later Wednesday or on Thursday. The depression is centred about 115 miles (185 kilometres) south-southwest of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.