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Hurricane Rita Live Thread
NHC - NOAA ^ | 20 September 2005 | NHC - NOAA

Posted on 09/20/2005 6:16:38 AM PDT by NautiNurse

Hurricane Rita is in the Florida Straits, impacting the Florida Keys and South Florida Peninsula. Hurricane watches and warnings are in effect for numerous portions of South Florida. Check local weather statements for updates.

The following links are self-updating:

Public Advisory Currently published every 3 hours 5A, 8A, 11A, 2P, etc. ET
NHC Discussion Published every six hours 6A, 11A, 6P, 11P
Three Day Forecast Track
Five Day Forecast Track

Rita Forecast Track Archive
Forecast Models
Buoy Data SE Florida
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Florida

Images:

Storm Floater IR Loop
Visible Storm Floater Still (only visible during daylight hours)
Color Enhanced Atlantic Loop
Florida Radar/Sat Loop Caution: Broadband users only
Extra Large Miami Radar Broadband only
Extra Large Key West Radar Broadband only
Miami Long Range Radar Loop
Key West Long Range Radar Loop
Miami Experimental Radar Still Image
Key West Experimental Radar Still Image

Streaming Video: (coverage may be intermittent)

WTVJ-TV/DT Miami (NBC6)
WFOR-TV/DT Miami (CBS 4)
WSVN-TV/DT Miami (Fox)

Other Resources:

Florida East Coast Surf Reports Lots of great info here, including surf cams
Central Florida Hurricane Center
Hurricane City

Category Wind Speed Barometric Pressure Storm Surge Damage Potential
Tropical
Depression
< 39 mph
< 34 kts
    Minimal
Tropical
Storm
39 - 73 mph
34 - 63 kts
    Minimal
Hurricane 1
(Weak)
74 - 95 mph
64 - 82 kts
28.94" or more
980.02 mb or more
4.0' - 5.0'
1.2 m - 1.5 m
Minimal damage to vegetation
Hurricane 2
(Moderate)
96 - 110 mph
83 - 95 kts
28.50" - 28.93"
965.12 mb - 979.68 mb
6.0' - 8.0'
1.8 m - 2.4 m
Moderate damage to houses
Hurricane 3
(Strong)
111 - 130 mph
96 - 112 kts
27.91" - 28.49"
945.14 mb - 964.78 mb
9.0' - 12.0'
2.7 m - 3.7 m
Extensive damage to small buildings
Hurricane 4
(Very strong)
131 - 155 mph
113 - 135 kts
27.17" - 27.90"
920.08 mb - 944.80 mb
13.0' - 18.0'
3.9 m - 5.5 m
Extreme structural damage
Hurricane 5
(Devastating)
Greater than 155 mph
Greater than 135 kts
Less than 27.17"
Less than 920.08 mb
Greater than 18.0'
Greater than 5.5m
Catastrophic building failures possible

Previous Threads:
Tropical Storm Rita
Tropical Depression 18


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: Alabama; US: Florida; US: Louisiana; US: Mississippi; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: hurricane; rita; tropical
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To: onyx

Night onyx.I am going to bed at 2 EST.


2,161 posted on 09/20/2005 10:42:30 PM PDT by fatima
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To: HoustonCurmudgeon

LOL...Hate to tell you this....but I have a 6 pk of beer in my Refrig...they've been in there since 1998.


2,162 posted on 09/20/2005 10:43:07 PM PDT by shield (The Greatest Scientific Discoveries of the Century Reveal God!!!! by Dr. H. Ross, Astrophysicist)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum
Oy veh! May the storm drink in lots and lots of dry air before landfall....

What dry air? It's been, and will continue to be, hot and humid across most of Texas since late last week, when it rained and was relatively temperate for a whole day, or less depending on location.

2,163 posted on 09/20/2005 10:43:41 PM PDT by El Gato
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To: fatima


Nite sweet you!


2,164 posted on 09/20/2005 10:43:57 PM PDT by onyx (North is a direction. South is a way of life.)
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To: BJungNan

man, I didn't think about that. I did get the catfood, though. lol!


2,165 posted on 09/20/2005 10:44:21 PM PDT by GOP_Thug_Mom (Crosby, TX--25 miles E/NE of dntwn. Houston)
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To: El Gato

Astrodome -Some of them are still looking for family.


2,166 posted on 09/20/2005 10:45:17 PM PDT by fatima
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To: onyx
You SO CA folks had a pretty good T-storm last night according to my youngest son.

3am, all heck broke loose above my house. Woke everyone in the house, lightning in every direction.

For a time there, I thought I had suddenly been transported to Chandler, AZ during the height of monsoon season. I don't mind these types of storms, I quite enjoy them on occasion, but I also like to know that they're coming. I was looking east so much I missed what was right above my head until it hit.

Would have enjoyed it more had I not gotten too little sleep the night before and not had so many early mornings in the last few weeks. Ahh well, a pittance compared to what folks in Florida went through over the last 48 hours, all things considered.
2,167 posted on 09/20/2005 10:45:26 PM PDT by kingu (Draft Fmr Senator Fred Thompson for '08.)
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To: onyx

(((Hugs)))


2,168 posted on 09/20/2005 10:45:50 PM PDT by fatima
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To: onyx

thank you! I love my FR family. Let's all just keep praying that this thing doesn't deliver the worst! good night!


2,169 posted on 09/20/2005 10:46:53 PM PDT by GOP_Thug_Mom (Crosby, TX--25 miles E/NE of dntwn. Houston)
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To: onyx
We had mega thunder last night in Orange County, California, and some rain (I saw this amazing rainbow that went from horizon to horizon driving home yesterday, and a guy in my office said his huge dog (some monstrous Newfoundland thingie breed trained to dive into the frigid waters to save those who are drowning he said) was so frightened by it all, that he went upstairs, where he is not allowed, and then managed to open the door of the master bedroom and then hopped into bed, and tried to get under the covers, all the time madly barking. I don't understand humans whom hanker towards canine types. I much prefer cats. If nothing else, when they hop into your bed, they are much more manageable.

Obviously this dog wouldn't hunt in any climate where thunder is other than a rare occurrence.

2,170 posted on 09/20/2005 10:47:00 PM PDT by Torie
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To: bonfire

It is an enamel 21 quart stockpot, the brand is Granite Ware, and I only bought it Saturday. I started to peel the label off of it this afternoon to wash it and saw "do not use on glass cooktops."

It's both a stockpot and a canner, and so has the jar holder inside........interestingly enough the pot is made in America, but the jar holder insert is made in china. Hubby promised to find me a standard stainless steel, heavy gauge stockpot tomorrow :)


2,171 posted on 09/20/2005 10:47:21 PM PDT by Gabz ((Chincoteague, VA) Tryin' to Reason with Hurricane season)
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To: Torie

LOL!!!!


2,172 posted on 09/20/2005 10:47:44 PM PDT by Brad’s Gramma (Lord, we need a Logan miracle for Simcha7 and Cowboy. Please.)
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To: Heatseeker
I'm just coming on. 24-hour FR coverage for Delmarva. ;)

COOL!!!!!!!!! Because I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to function :)

2,173 posted on 09/20/2005 10:50:02 PM PDT by Gabz ((Chincoteague, VA) Tryin' to Reason with Hurricane season)
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To: GOP_Thug_Mom

Night GOP_Thug_Mom.


2,174 posted on 09/20/2005 10:51:24 PM PDT by fatima
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To: Torie; Brad's Gramma
LOL! That's a neat story. Thanks. But, Torie, I would never, and I mean never ever, have pegged you for cat guy.

Look what Brad;s Gramma pinged me to -- made me sort of homesick -- the pic was taken maybe 4 miles from my lifelong residence in San Diego... made me sort of homesick.

From the Union-Tribune

2,175 posted on 09/20/2005 10:52:35 PM PDT by onyx (North is a direction. South is a way of life.)
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To: GOP_Thug_Mom


Yep, me too. Family we are --- even the fights.

Nite now, and take care.


2,176 posted on 09/20/2005 10:53:19 PM PDT by onyx (North is a direction. South is a way of life.)
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To: kingu


Our really good T-storms in San Diego were rare and I loved 'em. Like you, I know T-storms from living in Laughlin, NV. What noise and light shows. I delighted in them.

Nite to you and eveybody.


2,177 posted on 09/20/2005 10:55:28 PM PDT by onyx (North is a direction. South is a way of life.)
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To: All


...Rita becomes fifth major hurricane of the 2005 season as it moves
westward away from the Florida Keys...
At 2 am EDT...0600z...the Hurricane Warning for the portion of the
Florida Keys west of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Dry Tortugas has
been changed to a Tropical Storm Warning.
At 2 am EDT..all warnings are discontinued for the Florida Keys
north of the Seven Mile Bridge...including Florida Bay. Small
craft should remain in port until winds and seas subside.
At 2 am EDT...all warnings have been discontinued for Cuba.

For storm information specific to your area...including possible
inland watches and warnings...please monitor products issued
by your local weather office.

At 2 am EDT...0600z...the center of Hurricane Rita was located near
latitude 24.2 north... longitude 84.0 west or about 80 miles...130
km... west-southwest of Dry Tortugas...about 145 miles... 235 km...
west of Key West Florida and about 130 miles... 210 km...northwest
of Havana Cuba.

Rita is moving toward the west near 14 mph...22 km/hr. This general
motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours...which will
take the center of Rita into the open southeastern Gulf of Mexico
during the next 24 hours.
Data from the Key West NOAA Doppler radar indicate maximum
sustained winds have now increased to near 115 mph...185 km/hr...
with higher gusts. Rita is now a category three hurricane on the
Saffir-Simpson scale. Additional strengthening is forecast during
the next 24 hours...and Rita is expected to become a category four
hurricane sometime later today.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 45 miles... 75 km...
from the center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up
to 140 miles...220 km. The automated station at the Dry Tortugas
reported sustained winds of 65 mph and a gust to 87 mph before
contact with the station was lost.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 960 mb...28.35 inches.

Storm surge flooding of 4 to 6 feet above normal tide levels...along
with large and dangerous battering waves...are still possible in the
Florida Keys in areas of onshore flow. Coastal storm surge
flooding of 1 to 3 feet is possible along the extreme southeastern
Florida coast. Storm surge values will gradually decrease today in
all areas.

Rita is expected to produce additional rainfall accumulations of 2
to 4 inches over the Florida Keys and the southern Florida
Peninsula...with isolated storm total amounts of 12 inches.
Rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches are possible over western Cuba
and 1 to 3 inches over the northern Yucatan Peninsula...with
isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches over portions of western Cuba.

Isolated tornadoes will be possible over South Florida and the
Florida Keys tonight and early Wednesday.

Repeating the 2 am EDT position...24.2 N... 84.0 W. Movement
toward...west near 14 mph. Maximum sustained
winds...115 mph. Minimum central pressure... 960 mb.

The next advisory will be issued by the National
Hurricane Center at 5 am EDT.

Forecaster Beven


$$


2,178 posted on 09/20/2005 10:55:29 PM PDT by Termite_Commander (Warning: Cynical Right-winger Ahead)
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To: Miztiki

Thought I'd bump up this earlier post to any that might have missed it due to its seriousness (Rita may hit a CAT 5?).


THE PREVIOUS ADVISORY INDICATING RAPID INTENSIFICATION FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS APPEARS TO BE ON TRACK. DURING THE PAST 14 HOURS...THE CENTRAL PRESSURE HAS DECREASED 20 MB...OR AT A RATE OF ABOUT 2 DVORAK T-NUMBERS PER 24 HOURS. WHILE SUCH A LARGE PRESSURE FALL TREND RARELY OCCURS FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS...THE VERY FAVORABLE UPPER-LEVEL OUTFLOW PATTERN AND 30C-31C SSTS BENEATH RITA SUGGEST THAT RAPID INTENSIFICATION SHOULD CONTINUE FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 24 HOURS. A POLEWARD OUTFLOW CHANNEL IS WELL ESTABLISHED WITH OUTFLOW ACCUMULATING INTO A LARGE UPPER-LEVEL LOW...OR MASS SINK...EAST OF THE BAHAMAS. IN ADDITION... AN EQUATORWARD OUTFLOW CHANNEL ALSO APPEARS TO BE DEVELOPING. GIVEN THE DUAL OUTFLOW PATTERN THAT IS EXPECTED TO PERSIST FOR THE NEXT 36-48 HOURS...STRENGTHENING INTO A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE IS A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY. BY 72 HOURS... A GRADUAL INCREASE IN THE SOUTHWESTERLY VERTICAL SHEAR IS EXPECTED TO BRING ABOUT SOME WEAKENING. HOWEVER...THE GFS-BASED SHIPS MODEL THAT IS INDICATING 25-30 KT OF SHEAR MAY BE INCLUDING THE WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STRONG OUTFLOW PATTERN DEPICTED BY THE MODEL. THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE GFS SHEAR IS TOO HIGH...AND THUS...THE SHARP GFS WEAKENING OF RITA DOWN TO 99 KT AT LANDFALL WOULD BE PREMATURE. THE OFFICIAL INTENSITY FORECAST LEANS CLOSER TO THE FSU SUPERENSEMBLE INTENSITY FORECAST OF 122 KT IN 48 HOURS AND 126 KT IN 60 HOURS.


2,084 posted on 09/20/2005 10:04:22 PM PDT by hobson (Houston - NW Loop)


2,179 posted on 09/20/2005 10:56:49 PM PDT by geopyg (Ever Vigilant, Never Fearful)
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To: Termite_Commander
The automated station at the Dry Tortugas reported sustained winds of 65 mph and a gust to 87 mph before contact with the station was lost.

Is it common to lose contact with stations?
2,180 posted on 09/20/2005 10:57:17 PM PDT by Termite_Commander (Warning: Cynical Right-winger Ahead)
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