Complete Hanna Forecast (as of Early Fri PM)

By Gannon Medwick
Morning & Noon Edition Meteorologist
Published: September 5, 2008

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS EFFECTIVE FOR INLAND EASTERN NC TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW AND A HURRICANE WATCH IS EFFECTIVE FOR COASTAL EASTERN NC IN THAT TIME.

Friday will feature variable clouds and highs in the low to mid 80s.  Scattered showers will be possible later Friday as the outer bands from Hanna reach Eastern North Carolina.

TROPICAL STORM HANNA As of mid-morning Friday morning, the National Hurricane Center notes that Tropical Storm Hanna, east of Jacksonville, FL, is moving northwest at a fast 20mph.  Maximum sustained winds within Hanna’s bands are near 65mph - not far from hurricane strength.

TRACK The official National Hurricane Center landfall point is now near the upper South Carolina coast during the wee hours of Saturday morning. 

INTENSITY Hanna is close to hurricane strength and will likely maintain strong tropical storm or perhaps minimal hurricane strength between now and its point of landfall.

TIMING The brunt of Hanna (be it tropical storm or minimal hurricane conditions depending on the exact storm track) will occur in a ~6-hour window beginning late Friday night and continuing into Saturday AM.  Outer bands of Hanna could begin to reach parts of Eastern North Carolina as early as Friday afternoon.

FORWARD SPEED Regardless of where Hanna exactly tracks, the storm will not stay in one place for long!  Hanna’s forward speed as it gets to our latitude will likely be greater than 20mph.  This is good news as the quick “get in, get out” speed of Hanna will limit its potential to produce rainfall flooding.

WIND THREATS Widespread tropical storm force squalls (winds in the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s mph) are likely Friday night and early Saturday.  Isolated minimal hurricane force winds (75+mph) will be possible, too.  Strong tropical storm and Category 1 hurricane wind conditions usually produce tree, sign, and minor roof damage as well as scattered power outages.

RAIN THREATS Hanna will be moving fast, so it won’t have much time to dump epic rains.  I expect most areas to receive 2 to 4 inches of rain but localized areas where heavy tropical rain bands persist could receive 6 to 8 inch amounts.  Yes, these are significant rain totals, and poor drainage areas may experience flash flooding conditions in times of the heaviest rain, but the fast forward speed of Hanna will likely prevent the it from producing the type of rain totals that could cause multi-day river flooding.

TORNADO THREAT Isolated tornadoes will be possible within Hanna’s rain bands - especially near and east of the storm’s track.

SURGE EFFECTS Surge will likely be minimal, but noticeable.  I expect 2 to 4 foot locally 5 foot water rises for ocean beaches near and just to the east of Hanna’s landfall point.  Vulnerable sound-side areas may have water rises on this scale, too.  Hanna will also produce breaking waves in excess of 6 feet, rip currents, and beach erosion.  Good news: the early morning hours of Saturday are near a low tide cycle.

Fast moving Hanna will speed away from Eastern North Carolina by the midday hours of Saturday.  Stay with Storm Team 9 this Friday and Friday night for complete updates on the evolution of Hanna and what it means for our area. 

And, after Hanna leaves, continue to stay with Storm Team 9 for updates on dangerous Atlantic Hurricane Ike.  Ike could affect the United States next week but it is way too early to pinpoint exactly where.  Ike is a ferocious Category 3 storm.  Do not ignore Ike.

Thanks for checking your Storm Team 9 Forecast here at wnct.com!

Stay tuned to WNCT for the latest updates on Hanna with Live VIPIR 9.  When you join our broadcast, you will see that 9 is on your side with ways to stay safe during and after the storm.