The Hub braces for Hanna

Tropical storm could bring heavy wind and rainfall to Boston Saturday

 The remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna are expected to hit the region Saturday night and subsequently pound the Boston area with up to four inches of rain and heavy winds.

The storm, which may reach hurricane status Friday night as it approaches The Carolinas, should reach Boston late Saturday and move out of the area early Sunday. According to National Weather Service meteorologist Charlie Foley, the storm will blanket the area with plenty of wet stuff, with winds becoming less of a factor than they were down south.

“The impact will be mostly heavy rain. We should see two to four inches with higher amounts in some areas,” Foley said.

The city has seen just 0.1 inches of rain in the past 20 days, so grounds are dry and prepared to absorb plenty of precipitation.

Winds are still expected to reach 40 mph, however, prompting boaters to secure their vessels and the Coast Guard to issue warnings.

Some have already heeded the call.

Jason Barquin tied extra lines and laid out additional dock fenders around the “Lady Irene” on Thursday at Boston Waterboat Marina.

“That’s pretty much all you can do,” said Barquin, who indicated he was not worried despite having to sleep on the boat each night until he returns it to Florida this fall. “I rode out a few storms before.”

Barquin said he was keeping an eye on Hurricane Ike, which is following Hanna’s path and may pack a more powerful punch. Ike may hit the east coast of Florida by Tuesday.