Hanna Becomes First Hurricane Of Season

Hanna – the 8th named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season — has strengthened to become the first hurricane of the year, however the Bermuda Weather Service [BWS] said that it is not a threat to Bermuda.

Graphic courtesy of the BWS:

The latest forecast from the U.S. National Hurricane Center said, “At 100 PM CDT [1800 UTC], the center of the eye of Hurricane Hanna was located by NOAA Doppler weather radars and buoy data near latitude 27.0 North, longitude 96.7 West.

“Hanna is moving toward the west near 8 mph [13 km/h]. A gradual turn toward the west-southwest is expected by late afternoon and tonight, and that motion should continue through Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of Hanna should make landfall along the Texas coast within the hurricane warning area by late afternoon or early this evening.

“Data from Doppler weather radars indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph [130 km/h] with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is still possible before Hanna makes landfall later today. Rapid weakening is expected after Hanna moves inland.

Graphic courtesy of the NHC:

“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles [35 km] from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles [150 km]. A TCOON observation station at Laguna Madre, Texas, recently reported a sustained wind of 54 mph [91 km/h] and a gust to 70 mph [113 km/h].

“Reports from NOAA buoy 42020 located near the center of Hanna’s eye indicate that the minimum central pressure is 977 mb [28.85 inches].”

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