Tropical Storm Rita Live Thread

NHC - NOAA ^ | 18 September 2005 | NHC - NOAA

[NautiNurse]

Tropical Storm Rita has developed from TD 18 in the Atlantic Ocean. TS Rita is currently located north of Hispaniola, the eastern tip of Cuba, and ESE of Nassau, Bahamas. Hurricane watches and warnings are in effect for portions of Florida. Check for local weather statements.

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
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!
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)
WFOR-TV/DT Miami (WMP) - http://dayport.wm.llnwd.net/dayport_0025_live"
WSVN-TV/DT Miami (WMP) - mms://216.242.118.141/broadband

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

[SouthTexas]

Looking better for south Texas, at the moment.

Off to work.

[shield]

Here's an interesting discussion posted below, found at: http://www.easternuswx.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=52627

It should be noted that historic climatology still suggests the possibility of landfalling hurricanes, including major ones, in Texas are likely in September. It is October and beyond where one sees hurricane landfalls drop off sharply for Texas. Let’s take a closer look:

Texas Hurricane Landfalls in September:

Since 1851, 12 hurricanes have made landfall in Texas on or after September 1. 10/12 (83%) made landfall in September. Of those landfalling hurricanes, 6 (60%) were tracking either west-northwest or northwest at the time of landfall. 4/10 (40%) recurved toward the west-southwest or southwest near or after landfall.

At the same time, Texas has experienced the landfall of 6 major hurricanes in September. 2/6 (33%) were Category 4 hurricanes, one of which was the infamous Galveston Hurricane of 1900. The remainder were Category 3 hurricanes at landfall. 4/6 (67%) of these landfalling major hurricanes formed in September. No major hurricane has made landfall in Texas after September.

Estimated Strength at Landfall:
Initial Landfall: Florida Keys: 100 mph
Second landfall in northeast Mexico or south Texas: 120 mph

[SauronOfMordor]

Current models predict landfall anywhere from southern Texas to Louisiana. I wonder how the LA residents are taking it?

[shield]

Right now no one in Louisiana is paying any attention. We here in Texas are!!! YIKES!!!

[Miztiki]

You can say that again.

[Flyer]

Here in Houston one of our weather guys is giving us a heads up big-time

Who is your weather guy of choice? I like Dr. Neil and David Paul on KHOU.

David Paul is definitely telling folks that now is the time to be thinking about preparations.

[Chasaway]

"Actually, it's been about 30 years since the last big storm hit Corpus Christi so I expect we are due one...."

I live on the water on North Padre Island in Corpus. I've really got a bunch of stuff I need to get done this weekend, so if it's possible I'd like to re-schedule this.

Who do I talk to about that?

[AntiGuv]

My guess is Rita will head for New Orleans. You just know it wants to..

[twin2]

bookmark for later

[shield]

David Paul

I watched him at 5:30AM, he's the one. Hope Doc Frank is on tonight. Since, Doc Frank was head of NHC for yrs, I trust his hurricane forecast and listen to him intently.

[shield]

Has it really been 30 yrs since Corpus was hit by a hurricane? WOW...

[CindyDawg]

I rescheduled already in July, but Saturday a bad day for me too. I have a trail ride planned:')

[Flyer]

Yeah, Doc is the best weather guy any tv station could have. We're lucky to have him at times like this.

[dawn53]

All the NO evacuees that are in Houston are probably having serious anxiety issues dealing with a possible hit, and you sure can't blame them.

[CindyDawg]

How about you? Anything planned this weekend?

[Flyer]

Anything planned this weekend?

I didn't have anything planned, but it looks like Rita may be putting something on my schedule. Hopefully it doesn't involve chainsaws.

[Bahbah]

Bookmark to pick up at work.

[CindyDawg]

I hope not either but what can you do except take it in stride huh? It's just part of what we have to deal with, living on the coast.

Be careful with the chainsaws though, esp if you are sitting on a limb:')

[Chasaway]

"Has it really been 30 yrs since Corpus was hit by a hurricane? WOW..."

That's what they say...I wasn't here for it, thankfully.

I am amazed by that fact, though. I don't know all of the reasons for it, but it seems that the forecast'll point one right at us and then it goes north or south of us.

The closest one, recently anyway, went ashore some 30 miles or so north of here and we only got 40 to 50 mph gusts and some rain out of it.

BUT...nobody's asleep at the switch at this house. We're always up on our toes when one of these rascals gets in the gulf.

[dogbyte12]

I really "knew" Katrina was going to hit us. My gut tells me Rita hits Texas. On the other hand, most of us in Louisiana are well stocked up on provisions now. Just wondering where a good place to evacuate to would be for the most part.

People in Louisiana will be ready when/if it turns towards us. You would be amazed at how quickly people cleared their yards after Katrina where I live. It looked like a bomb went off, then a few days later, back to pretty much normal here with most trees cleared.