This image provided by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was taken at 11:45 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. The remains of tropical depression Gustav can be seen over Louisianna and Mississippi and tropical storm Hanna can be seen nearing Haiti. (NOAA/Associated Press)

Maritimers are being warned to brace for windy, rainy weather Sunday as Hanna, now coded a tropical storm, moves through the region.

Hanna was whirling northeast of the Bahamas late Thursday, with sustained winds reaching 102 km/h. It was expected to reach hurricane status as it moved past South Carolina, but weaken to a post-tropical storm as it continued to move north.

The Canadian Hurricane Centre said Thursday morning that it was too early to issue details, but it appeared that Hanna could bring wind and rain to the Maritimes on Sunday and Monday.

Long-period waves and surf from Hanna, as well as from Atlantic storm Hurricane Ike, should hit the Maritimes sometime Saturday. Gales are also being forecast for Maritime waters.

Chris Fogarty, with the centre, said he expects a cold front heading east from the Great Lakes will collide with whatever Hanna brings, which usually means bad weather.

"I'd say the most likely condition to expect is rain and wind on the weekend, more likely toward the latter part of the week on Sunday," he said Wednesday. "People should keep in mind that systems that come up from the tropics like this do have the potential to bring high winds with them if they stay over the water longer."

Fogarty said a month of cooler-than-normal weather has cooled the water along the eastern U.S. seaboard, which could weaken Hanna as it moves north.

Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly said he has already been in contact with staff at the emergency measures office.

"There is a lot of time to watch what is transpiring and we'll make sure that we understand what the intensity will be and what the effect will be here," Kelly said.

Emergency kits

Officials in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island advised citizens to have emergency kits prepared and to stock up on non-perishable goods, bottled water and other supplies.

"The key to protection is preparation," said Carolyn Bertram, P.E.I.'s minister of communities, cultural affairs and labour.

"Throughout Prince Edward Island, we often experience a variety of severe weather events, including flooding and storm surges, tropical storms and hurricanes, blizzards and ice storms, to name just a few. By taking sensible measures before, during, and after a storm, Islanders can better protect themselves and their property."

Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, the minister responsible for emergency management in Nova Scotia, reiterated the call for people to be prepared.

"The message to Nova Scotians is they should have their 72-hour emergency preparedness kits ready to roll at any point," she said after cabinet Thursday.

"We all know that September is hurricane season in Nova Scotia."

With files from the Canadian Press