[mware]

Anyway, wouldn't it be better for them if Rita's forward speed was slow like that?

The people at the weather channel seemed to say that if it is slower the people would have to withstand the winds longer. This bugger is the size of Georgia and it is going to take time to pass through an area at that forward speed.

[Nita Nupress]

The people at the weather channel seemed to say that if it is slower the people would have to withstand the winds longer. This bugger is the size of Georgia and it is going to take time to pass through an area at that forward speed.

Well, I'm thinking I saw something online today that was trying to say that, at least when it comes to wind damage, it would be better for the inland folks (Austinites, Waconians, & other people on the I-35 corridor) if Rita's forward speed was slow. Of course that would be worse for people nearer the coast, so it's a tradeoff. I'll see if I can find that graph again.

[Sam Cree]

Looking at the wind swath chart that the NHC has posted, it appears that the diameter of hurricane force winds is about 180 miles or so...you have also to add the tropical storm force winds to get the size of GA?

My understanding is that the max winds are in the eyewall with gradual lessening as you get further out. Don't know exactly how wide the eyewall might be. An extremely impressive and dangerous storm.

I'm thinking my lucky stars that it passed by here at such low intensity.