Each forecast brings the intensity up...and only a little more than three weeks after Katrina, an NHC discussion again mentions the possibility of reaching Cat 5 intensity.

Well at least Rita will be tracking to the south of the warmest pool of the loop current, the area Katrina went directly over. And while it appears now that intensity at landfall will likely be a major hurricane, much more likely to be a Cat 3 than a Cat 5 at landfall, but possibly the same issue with storm surge as Katrina (surge does not have enough time to dissipate to match the lower intensity at landfall).

for JoeF - switch to long-range and you will be able to see her eye on radar for awhile longer, although radar will be looking into the clouds at a higher angle.