Rita continues to become better organized and growing stronger rapidly. This link will give you all of the latest information:
http://www.abc3340.com/weather/tropics.html
She is almost a Category 3
Her sustained winds increased to 110 mph and her central pressure dropped to 965 millibars or 28.50 inches. She was moving westward at 13 mph. She is also moving away from Extreme South Florida and weather conditions were slowly improving.
* There are growing indications that Rita will be a major hurricane--reaching Category 4 and possibly even Category 5 along the way across the Gulf.
* Latest official track forecast from the National Hurricane Center suggests landfall on the Texas Coast late Friday night or early Saturday morning south of Galveston, possibly in the vicinity of Freeport. This could spell trouble also for the Galveston-Houston area. Galveston would be on the strong side of the landfalling hurricane.
* Landfall is still far enough down the road that the landfall prediction cannot be sealed in stone. Subject to change.
* This huirricane will have the capability of producing catastrophic damage from both wind and storm surge. And, of course there will be the threat of spinoff tornadoes.
* Sounds like Galveston is preparing well for Rita. Evacuation plans have already been announced.
* Going back to South Florida for a moment. There is still a risk of tornadoes for the remainder of tonight and early Wednesday morning. Here are a few late night spot reports:
Miami Beach...wind SE 31, gusts to 45 mph
Sombrero Key...wind SE 43, gusts 48
Dry Tortugas...wind east 63, gusts 75
(Scan down to see earlier posts including James Spann's discussion and opinions. We will continue to post as much useful information as possible during the life of this powerful hurricane.)
* It appears that Rita will make history.
http://www.abc3340.com/weather/tropics.html
She is almost a Category 3
Her sustained winds increased to 110 mph and her central pressure dropped to 965 millibars or 28.50 inches. She was moving westward at 13 mph. She is also moving away from Extreme South Florida and weather conditions were slowly improving.
* There are growing indications that Rita will be a major hurricane--reaching Category 4 and possibly even Category 5 along the way across the Gulf.
* Latest official track forecast from the National Hurricane Center suggests landfall on the Texas Coast late Friday night or early Saturday morning south of Galveston, possibly in the vicinity of Freeport. This could spell trouble also for the Galveston-Houston area. Galveston would be on the strong side of the landfalling hurricane.
* Landfall is still far enough down the road that the landfall prediction cannot be sealed in stone. Subject to change.
* This huirricane will have the capability of producing catastrophic damage from both wind and storm surge. And, of course there will be the threat of spinoff tornadoes.
* Sounds like Galveston is preparing well for Rita. Evacuation plans have already been announced.
* Going back to South Florida for a moment. There is still a risk of tornadoes for the remainder of tonight and early Wednesday morning. Here are a few late night spot reports:
Miami Beach...wind SE 31, gusts to 45 mph
Sombrero Key...wind SE 43, gusts 48
Dry Tortugas...wind east 63, gusts 75
(Scan down to see earlier posts including James Spann's discussion and opinions. We will continue to post as much useful information as possible during the life of this powerful hurricane.)
* It appears that Rita will make history.