 Further intensification was slow , as Josephine was very large and existed in a relatively cool environment . Shortly thereafter , Josephine curved northward to the northeast of the Bahamas . By October 10 , Josephine had strengthened into a hurricane . Josephine continued north @-@ northeastward , and became a Category 2 hurricane on October 11 . Winds increased slightly , and Josephine reached its maximum sustained winds of 105 mph ( 165 km / h ) on October 12 . Josephine weakened back to a Category 1 hurricane on October 13 . That day , an area of high pressure moved off the northeastern United States , which caused Josephine to decelerate and abruptly curve northeastward , and eventually southeastward . By October 15 , Josephine began to accelerate east @-@ northeastward . Later that day , Josephine reached its minimum barometric pressure of 965 mbar ( 28 @.@ 5 inHg ) . 
