[Strategerist]

Oh the eyewall replacement started hours ago.

The sign of it is the outer ring of convection visible on IR and even on visible, with somewhat of a gap between it and the original eyewall.

[abb]

first bands approaching la/miss coast

http://www.intellicast.com/Local/USLocalWide.asp?seg=LocalWeather&loc=kmsy&prodgrp=RadarImagery&product=RadarLoop&prodnav=none&pid=none

[Dane]

FWIW, while channel surfing the guy from hurricanelive.com on CNN is saying that it looks like Rita may be heading for the TX/LA border. He is a hurricane chaser so take his opinion for what it's worth.

He did put in the caveat, that it may, and wasn't sure.

Either way everybody on the Texas gulf coast stay safe.

[NautiNurse]

Oh the eyewall replacement started hours ago.

So are you saying it is almost complete, or still in the beginning stages. I am trying to understand why you are correcting me.

[AntiGuv]

Oh the eyewall replacement started hours ago.

Thank you for confirming what I suspected! (your word is good enough for me) So, now I might ask, isn't it somewhat disconcerting that the storm is undergoing eyewall replacement yet is still a Category 5?