| Hugh |
| (Senior Storm Chaser) |
| Thu Sep 22 2005 06:41 AM |
Re: Rita Chugs Westward with 175MPH Winds
|
Quote:
Amazingly the eye still seems perfectly round and is extremely well defined. We are down to a 15 degree difference for the eye-eyewall temps...but the eye itself is still an amazingly high 29C. That the eyewall has pushed itself to 14C is the more interesting part - what's causing it to warm so rapidly?
Sheer and dry air, but Rita doesn't appear to care a whole lot. My concern is how will whatever is causing the deteriorration fo the west side of the storm effect movement from here on out. The models have shifted to near the TX/LA border already, and the official forecast has nearly done the same. New Orleans is now on the east edge of the cone, and the storm still appears to be moving east of the black line. Everyone in TX/LA needs to watch this monster.
I never thought I'd be pleased to wake up to a hurricane with a 902 pressure and 175 mph winds.... but it could have gotten stronger overnight and it didn't, thankfully.
Weather Channel reporter just said there are reports that Rita's storm surge could be as high as FIFTY FEET!!!!!!!
:?: