wnw-nw for 2 more hours...followed by a defintive nw for the next 4-5 hours...followed by a nw-nnw...
you get the idea...

still think New Orleans is a distinct possibility, IF the hurricane continues it's eastward shift.

definitely gonna track east another 250 miles from the current "official" track. when you look at the achieved N position right now...it is EAST of the projected point at least 60 miles....

simple geometric extrapolation shifts it east a lot.

Rick, hurricanes do NOT follow simple geometric extrapolation! Is there a weakness in the ridge to the north of Rita? Yes. It is also not a very strong one and trust me, the people at the NHC know better than you and I what this means for the forecast track. It needs to be watched, sure, but to suggest that it is going to go there? Not sure. From here on out, let's tone it down just a little, k? Thanks... -Clark