Hurricane Joaquin, the third of the Atlantic season, has strengthened into a category 3 storm as it nears the Bahamas, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says.

The eye of the storm is expected to pass over eastern islands of the Bahamas overnight.

A hurricane warning is in effect for much of the country, that could see winds of up to 185km/h (115mph).

The NHC says Joaquin could affect the US East Coast by Sunday.

Hurricane Joaquin could affect the US East Coast later this week or early next week

(Source: BBC)