Tropical Storm Hanna poses no land threat, expected to fade within days
The National Hurricane Center says no coastal watches or warnings are in effect for Hanna, and little change in strength is forecast before the storm dissipates.
Tropical Storm Hanna is churning through the open Atlantic with no coastal watches or warnings in effect, and forecasters expect little change in strength in the coming days before the storm fades.
The storm poses no immediate threat to any coastline. The National Hurricane Center's graphics show the system tracked well away from land areas, with wind speed probability data available.
NHC forecast tracks are presented with a 'cone of uncertainty': the solid white area in the graphic covers days one through three of the forecast, while a stippled zone extends to days four and five. Historical data show the storm's center stays within that cone roughly 60 to 70 percent of the time — meaning the cone is a guide, not a guarantee.
A key point the NHC emphasizes: a tropical cyclone is not a single point on a map. Effects — including tropical storm-force winds of 39 to 73 mph and hurricane-force winds of at least 74 mph — can extend well beyond the white cone area shown on the track graphic, spanning many hundreds of miles from the center.
The NHC also publishes wind speed probability data for specific locations, showing the statistical chance that any given spot will experience winds of 34 knots (tropical storm force), 50 knots, or 64 knots (hurricane force). Those tables and graphics are available on the NHC website for anyone wanting location-specific risk figures.
For readers new to NHC forecast graphics, the intensity letters on the track dots tell the storm's forecast strength at each point: 'D' for tropical depression (under 39 mph), 'S' for tropical storm (39–73 mph), 'H' for hurricane (74–110 mph), and 'M' for major hurricane (above 110 mph). A plain 'L' means the system is forecast to become a remnant low. If the storm is expected to dissipate within three days, the full five-day graphic and the three-day graphic will look identical.
With no watches or warnings posted and little change in strength forecast, Hanna is one to monitor rather than prepare for — at least for now. The NHC continues to issue updates from its Miami headquarters at 11691 SW 17th Street, with the latest advisories available at nhc.noaa.gov.
Why it matters — Knowing that no watches or warnings are in effect — and understanding how to read NHC forecast graphics — helps coastal residents and travelers quickly assess their actual risk from an active named storm.
⚠ Not yet confirmed
- Hanna is located in the central Atlantic near 33.7°N, 43.6°W, moving southeast at about 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1005 mb as of a September 30 advisory.
- The storm is forecast to degenerate into a remnant low or post-tropical cyclone within 24–48 hours due to increasing wind shear and dry air.
- specific date Monday, September 28 and refresh frequency
- direct attribution to PBS for 'poses no immediate threat'
- 'weakening trend' changed to match 'little change in strength'
