Aug. 26, 2011, First Update

An infrared image from NASA's Aqua satellite's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument, shows Hurricane Irene right off the Florida, Georgia and South Carolina coasts on August 26, at 2:59 a.m. EDT (06:59 UTC). There is a very large area of strong thunderstorms around the center of circulation, and also, in a large band of on the northeastern quadrant that appear in purple. The infrared data showed highest, coldest thunderstorm cloud tops in two areas. There is a very large area of strong thunderstorms around the center of circulation and also in a large band of on the northeastern quadrant. Cloud top temperatures are colder than -63 Fahrenheit (-52 Celsius) in those areas, indicating strong thunderstorms and heavy rainmakers.