Tropical Storm Rita Live Thread

NHC - NOAA ^ | 18 September 2005 | NHC - NOAA

[NautiNurse]

Tropical Storm Rita has developed from TD 18 in the Atlantic Ocean. TS Rita is currently located north of Hispaniola, the eastern tip of Cuba, and ESE of Nassau, Bahamas. Hurricane watches and warnings are in effect for portions of Florida. Check for local weather statements.

The following links are self-updating:

Public Advisory Currently published every 3 hours 5A, 8A, 11A, 2P, etc. ET
NHC Discussion Published every six hours 6A, 11A, 6P, 11P
Three Day Forecast Track
Five Day Forecast Track
Forecast Models
Buoy Data SE Florida
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Florida

Images:

Storm Floater IR Loop
Visible Storm Floater Still (only visible during daylight hours)
Color Enhanced Atlantic Loop
Florida Radar/Sat Loop Caution: Broadband users only!
Miami Long Range Radar Loop
Key West Long Range Radar Loop
Miami Experimental Radar Still Image
Key West Experimental Radar Still Image

Streaming Video: (coverage may be intermittent)
WFOR-TV/DT Miami (WMP) - http://dayport.wm.llnwd.net/dayport_0025_live"
WSVN-TV/DT Miami (WMP) - mms://216.242.118.141/broadband

Other Resources:

Florida East Coast Surf Reports Lots of great info here, including surf cams
Central Florida Hurricane Center
Hurricane City

Category	Wind Speed	Barometric Pressure	Storm Surge	Damage Potential
Tropical Depression	< 39 mph < 34 kts			Minimal
Tropical Storm	39 - 73 mph 34 - 63 kts			Minimal
Hurricane 1 (Weak)	74 - 95 mph 64 - 82 kts	28.94" or more 980.02 mb or more	4.0' - 5.0' 1.2 m - 1.5 m	Minimal damage to vegetation
Hurricane 2 (Moderate)	96 - 110 mph 83 - 95 kts	28.50" - 28.93" 965.12 mb - 979.68 mb	6.0' - 8.0' 1.8 m - 2.4 m	Moderate damage to houses
Hurricane 3 (Strong)	111 - 130 mph 96 - 112 kts	27.91" - 28.49" 945.14 mb - 964.78 mb	9.0' - 12.0' 2.7 m - 3.7 m	Extensive damage to small buildings
Hurricane 4 (Very strong)	131 - 155 mph 113 - 135 kts	27.17" - 27.90" 920.08 mb - 944.80 mb	13.0' - 18.0' 3.9 m - 5.5 m	Extreme structural damage
Hurricane 5 (Devastating)	Greater than 155 mph Greater than 135 kts	Less than 27.17" Less than 920.08 mb	Greater than 18.0' Greater than 5.5m	Catastrophic building failures possible

[Strategerist]

All intensity forecast models are basically worthless.

It's the great unsolved problem in tropical meteorology. Not only are they generally worthless, they're not getting better.

[Lanza]

Yeah, I guess I need to stick with plan A and get the hell out. We are right by Armand Bayou too.

[Strategerist]

Well, I like him more than Joe Bastardi. Or Larry Cosgrove.

He's just sort of...nuts. A long story.

Anyway, his favorite model, the ECMWF, has now changed pretty radically and has a landfall in North Texas, much as the GFS does.

[Flyer]

Is your hubby going to be here next weekend?

Dog Gone, does Mrs. Gone know that you are on the Internet asking when women are going to be home alone?

I'm pondering where to move the Jeep if the water starts rising. The ramp from the West Loop to the South Loop is looking like a good parking place.

[mhking]

All intensity forecast models are basically worthless.

Ah.

I'm still keeping my eyes on everything...

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Since I am husbandless, you should park it in my driveway........... uh, that is if you are willing to climb on the roof if the skylight has a leak, otherwise, never mind........;^)

[Michael Goldsberry]

Breaking .... Galveston (city) calling for voluntary evac.

... and that's where I live...

I'm waiting on my boss now to let me outahere so I can get my butt down there.

[jpsb]

Good idea, I will wait until thrusday, lots can happen between now and then.

[hobson]

Sounds familiar. And there's also the occasional flock of birds.

[Howlin]

All the water a storm pushes into Galveston bay goes into Clear Lake.

*Sigh* I JUST learned the geography of New Orleans, etc., and now I have to go back to Google Earth and study up.

:-)

[Flyer]

you should park it in my driveway

Well, I can walk home from the Loop. . . and concern myself with my second story bay window that faces the trees in the courtyard.

[spotbust1]

I know a group of kindergartners who would do better than the current administration.

[CindyDawg]

Do yall park your vehicles sideways in front of your garage. I don't know if it really does any good but around here, we do.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Now that's a good one I've never heard.......lol

[Lanza]

Yeah, remeber they originally thought Katrina would go back NOrth east to Florida prior to entering the Gulf. That was short lived, but who knows. Remember the one in the late 80's (was it Gilbert) that stayed on a weird straight path and didn't make the turn? Clear Lake had become a ghost town, because we thought it was coming.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Never heard of parking sideways - what is that supposed to accomplish?

[LBelle]

Islamorada, about 90 miles north of Key West.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Where are you going to go?

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

At least we aren't below sea level Howlin -

[No Blue States]

Map of Haris country risk areas:

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/tropical/evac_map/gifs/harris.gif