| Wind Direction (WDIR): | N ( 10 deg true ) |
| Wind Speed (WSPD): | 25.3 kts |
| Wind Gust (GST): | 33.0 kts |
| Wave Height (WVHT): | 12.1 ft |
| Dominant Wave Period (DPD): | 14 sec |
| Average Period (APD): | 7.2 sec |
| Mean Wave Direction (MWDIR): | E ( 96 deg true ) |
| Atmospheric Pressure (PRES): | 29.64 in |
| Pressure Tendency (PTDY): | -0.01 in ( Steady ) |
| Air Temperature (ATMP): | 80.4 °F |
| Water Temperature (WTMP): | 85.5 °F |
| Dew Point (DEWP): | 73.6 °F |
| Heat Index (HEAT): | 85.1 °F |
| Combined plot of Wind Speed, Gust, and Air Pressure | |
| Wind Direction (WDIR): | N ( 350 deg true ) |
| Wind Speed (WSPD): | 25.3 kts |
| Wind Gust (GST): | 31.1 kts |
| Wave Height (WVHT): | 16.4 ft |
| Dominant Wave Period (DPD): | 14 sec |
| Average Period (APD): | 8.1 sec |
| Mean Wave Direction (MWDIR): | E ( 100 deg true ) |
| Atmospheric Pressure (PRES): | 29.61 in |
| Pressure Tendency (PTDY): | +0.00 in ( Steady ) |
| Air Temperature (ATMP): | 82.8 °F |
| Water Temperature (WTMP): | 84.6 °F |
| Dew Point (DEWP): | 74.7 °F |
| Heat Index (HEAT): | 89.8 °F |
| Combined plot of Wind Speed, Gust, and Air Pressure | |
| TIME(CDT) | WDIR | WSPD |
|---|---|---|
| 8:50 am | N ( 349 deg ) | 24.7 kts |
| 8:40 am | N ( 353 deg ) | 24.5 kts |
| 8:30 am | N ( 352 deg ) | 25.1 kts |
| 8:20 am | N ( 349 deg ) | 25.1 kts |
| 8:10 am | NNW ( 343 deg ) | 23.9 kts |
| 8:00 am | NNW ( 345 deg ) | 23.1 kts |
Rita has weakened since yesterday. The eye is not as distinct and the convection is not as intense as 24 hours ago. This is consistent with the central pressure which has risen to around 927 mb and winds have decreased. The initial intensity has been adjusted down to 115 knots. Unless another eyewall cycle occurs that could bring the winds temporarily up a little bit...the overall tendency is for Rita to weaken gradually. So far the passage of Rita over the warm eddy in the Gulf of Mexico has not resulted in intensification. However...research suggests there is a lag in the atmospheric response. Nevertherless...Rita is expected to make landfall as category 3 or...a little less likely...category 4 intensity.
Upper-air data shows that the high pressure system controlling the motion of the hurricane is already north and east of Rita and is centered over Arkansas and Tennessee. Consequently...Rita has turned more to the northwest and is now moving 310 degrees at 9 knots. No significant change in track is anticipated before landfall near the Upper Texas or southwestern Louisiana coast early Saturday. Once inland...the steering currents are forecast to collapse and Rita is expected to move little over northeastern Texas and southwestern Arkansas. Rita by then will likely produce torrential rains. The official forecast follows very closely the model consensus.
Rita is a large hurricane and tropical storm force winds extend outward a great distance. A sond dropped from a reconnaissance plane measured 56 knots surface winds about 120 N mi west of the eye.
Forecaster Avila
forecast positions and Max winds
initial 23/1500z 27.4n 91.9w 115 kt 12hr VT 24/0000z 28.3n 93.1w 115 kt 24hr VT 24/1200z 30.0n 94.2w 100 kt...inland 36hr VT 25/0000z 31.5n 95.0w 45 kt...inland 48hr VT 25/1200z 33.0n 94.5w 30 kt...inland 72hr VT 26/1200z 33.5n 94.0w 25 kt...inland 96hr VT 27/1200z 33.5n 94.0w 25 kt...inland 120hr VT 28/1200z 33.5n 94.0w 25 kt...inland
$$
Friday, September 23, 2005
Water pours into 9th Ward
Water poured in the Lower 9th Ward on Friday morning, topping a section of the Industrial Canal levee being repaired by the Army Corps of Enginners, Lt. Col. Pete Schneider of the Louisiana National Guard said.
Officials blamed rain and storm surge caused by winds from Hurricane Rita for the high water.
Dozens of blocks were already under water as a wave of water 30 feet wide poured over a dike that had been used to patch breaks in the Industrial Canal. On the street that runs parallel to the canal, the water ran waist-deep and was rising fast.
The levee had been breached during Hurricane Katrina, causing catastrophic flooding through the neighborhoods of the 9th Ward.