Hurricane Ike strengthened further overnight, as its pressure fell to 935 mb and its estimated maximum sustained winds increased to 145 mph. Here’s how the storm looks on visible satellite imagery this morning:

The forecast track reasoning has remained essentially unchanged, though the official track has shifted ever so slightly to the right. But the bottom line, as the National Hurricane Center’s 5am EDT discussion says, is this: “BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTIES IN 4- AND 5-DAY TRACK FORECASTS…IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO SAY WHAT LAND AREAS ARE LIKELY TO BE IMPACTED BY THIS HURRICANE.”

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Hanna is up to 70 mph, and is expected to hit the Carolinas as a minimal hurricane overnight Friday into Saturday. Its track has actually shifted slightly to the left, in contrast to the rightward “trend” I mentioned last night. The most likely landfall spot is still just on the North Carolina side of the SC/NC border — and remember that Hanna’s heavy weather is almost entirely on the northeast side of the storm.

Hurricane Watches were issued this morning from Edisto Beach, South Carolina to Surf City, North Carolina. I imagine the watch area will be extended north as Hanna’s possible approach to the Outer Banks area becomes more imminent. Anyway, here is the current forecast track and watch areas:

Hanna is forecast to be a 75 mph minimal hurricane at first landfall in North Carolina, and a 60 mph tropical storm at second landfall on Long Island.