Hanna settles down, Ike “extremely dangerous”

September 5, 5:35 AMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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The southeastern United States is in preparations for what could be a rough period as Tropical Storm Hanna, Hurricane Ike and Tropical Storm Josephine move through the Atlantic toward its shores. 

Expected storm path of Tropical Storm Hanna.
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Tropical Storm watches or warnings were extended to areas just south of New York City on Friday as states along the Atlantic seaboard braced for Hanna.  Dry air and wind shear has helped to calm Hanna down and winds have most recently been measured at 65 mph however she could regain hurricane strength before making landfall early Saturday morning.  The storm is very large with tropical storm level winds extending 315 miles out from the center.  Significant rain accumulations can be expected from South Carolina through Virginia as can a 3 – 5 foot storm surge and dangerous waves. 

Expected storm path of Hurricane Ike.
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Perhaps of greater concern is Hurricane Ike.  In a period of 24 hours Ike exploded from a tropical storm to a category 4 hurricane.  The storm has settled down a bit and as of this morning is a category 3 storm with 125 mph winds and is moving west at 15 mph.  This weakening is expected to continue for the next couple of days before it regains strength again and should become a major hurricane.  Ike should continue west through Monday morning before starting to turn northwest however a pressure ridge close to the U.S. could change that.  If it continues on the expected path, south Florida could take a direct hit from the storm late Tuesday into early Wednesday.  This storm has the potential for widespread and serious damage and area residents should be prepared to evacuate. 

Tropical Storm Josephine is a good ways from the U.S. and is not currently expected to be a threat to the mainland.  Winds are currently at 50mph with northwest movement at 9mph.  Josephine should continue on the northwest path and stay in the Atlantic. 

STORMPULSE HURRICANE TRACKER

Hurricane tracker courtesy of StormPulse

For more info: National Hurricane Center