First Glimpse

Thursday September 4, 2008 06:46 AM

This visible satellite image from just after dawn Thursday morning shows Hanna located just east of the Bahamas. While Hanna covers a very large area, with tropical storm force winds extending outward some 290 miles from the center, her large size doesn't equate to strength at the current time.

Notice the exposed center of circulation in this satellite image - an indicator of an unorganized tropical cyclone. If you look closely you can see the strongest convection (tallest cloud tops) is located well to her north and east, instead of encompassing the entire circulation as is expected in a mature, well-developed hurricane. In fact, the large wind field and current cloud pattern even suggest some type of hybrid / subtropical features to Hanna.

Through the day today, Hanna is expected to slowly become better organized as she lifts northwestward toward the Carolinas. She should regain hurricane status during the day on Thursday or Thursday Night. Use the close-up satellite image through the day to see if she is becoming better organized.