Tropical Storm Hanna Discussion Number   6
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL082020
400 AM CDT Fri Jul 24 2020

Satellite imagery shows well-defined convective banding features 
over the eastern and southern portions of the circulation with some 
cooling of the cloud tops.  This suggests that the associated 
thunderstorm activity is becoming more vigorous.  However, surface 
observations over the Gulf and a scatterometer pass from a few 
hours ago indicate that the system has not strengthened further at 
this time.  The current intensity estimate is held at 35 kt in 
agreement with a Dvorak classification from TAFB.  A NOAA Hurricane 
Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the storm later this 
morning and they should provide a good estimate of Hanna's 
intensity.  The storm has an impressive upper-level anticyclonic 
outflow structure and should remain in a low shear environment 
until it reaches the coast.  Therefore strengthening is likely 
prior to landfall and the NHC intensity forecast is near the model 
high end of the intensity model suite.

The storm has moved a little faster toward the west-northwest over 
the past several hours, and the initial motion estimate is 290/8 
kt.  There is very little change to the official track forecast or 
reasoning from the previous cycle.  A gradual turn toward the west 
is likely in 12 hours or so as a mid-level ridge to the north of 
Hanna builds a bit.  The forecast track takes the center inland 
over Texas within the tropical storm warning area on Saturday.  
This is in good agreement with the dynamical model consensus and 
the latest ECMWF model solution.


Key Messages

1. Hanna is forecast to strengthen and it is expected to
bring tropical-storm-force winds to portions of the Texas coast,
where a tropical storm warning is in effect.

2. Hanna is expected to produce heavy rains across portions of 
southern Texas.  These rains could result in flash flooding and 
isolated minor to moderate river flooding.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT  24/0900Z 26.7N  92.4W   35 KT  40 MPH
12H  24/1800Z 27.1N  93.7W   40 KT  45 MPH
24H  25/0600Z 27.3N  95.5W   50 KT  60 MPH
36H  25/1800Z 27.3N  97.1W   55 KT  65 MPH
48H  26/0600Z 27.2N  98.6W   40 KT  45 MPH...INLAND
60H  26/1800Z 26.5N 100.0W   30 KT  35 MPH...INLAND
72H  27/0600Z 26.0N 101.0W   20 KT  25 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW
96H  28/0600Z...DISSIPATED

$$
Forecaster Pasch