Monday Evening Update
Hanna up to 80 mph
The last recon measured a wind of 90 kts at 850 mb. That's about 104 mph. Unfortunately the Hurricane Hunter did not have a surface wind report, so the wind is extrapolated from what was found at 850 mb. Pressure hasn't changed much - around 983 mb. That's in the range of a borderline hurricane. It will be interesting to see if that 104 mph wind was a down burst or actually representative of Hanna's strength.
The buoys are not reporting much wind. The one closest to Hanna is only reporting a gust to 35 knots. Seas are around 18', but probably higher near the center.
The satellite presentation hasn't changed much either. There are extremely high cloud tops, indicative of what would produce down bursts, by no eye. Usually by 80 mph you have an eye. The recon did not report one.
Models still call for Hanna up the Savannah valley Friday after moving about 50 miles offshore of the northeast Florida coast the day before.
It's time to time about preparations in these areas! Here are some suggestions:
http://www.tropicalweather.net/plan.htm
