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Hurricane RITA (Text)

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TROPICAL STORM RITA DISCUSSION NUMBER  29
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
5 PM EDT SAT SEP 24 2005
 
RITA HAS CONTINUED TO WEAKEN AS IT MOVES INLAND. INITIAL INTENSITY
IS ESTIMATED AT 45 KNOTS BASED ON DOPPLER RADAR BUT WIND GUSTS ARE
PROBABLY HIGHER.  FURTHER WEAKENING IS ANTICIPATED AND RITA IS
EXPECTED TO BE A TROPICAL DEPRESSION WITHIN THE NEXT 12 HOURS OR SO.
 
RITA IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH OR 360 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS. STEERING
CURRENTS ARE FORECAST TO BECOME VERY LIGHT SO ONLY A SMALL EASTWARD
DRIFT IS ANTICIPATED BEYOND 24 HOURS. RITA SHOULD PRODUCE
TORRENTIAL RAIN ALONG ITS PATH.

BECAUSE TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND ABOUT 150 N MI SOUTH OF
THE CENTER...A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE
COAST FROM HIGH ISLAND TEXAS TO MORGAN CITY LOUISIANA.
 
FORECASTER AVILA
 
 
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
 
INITIAL      24/2100Z 32.1N  94.0W    45 KT
 12HR VT     25/0600Z 33.5N  93.8W    30 KT...INLAND
 24HR VT     25/1800Z 35.0N  93.0W    25 KT...INLAND
 36HR VT     26/0600Z 35.0N  91.5W    25 KT...INLAND
 48HR VT     26/1800Z 35.0N  90.0W    20 KT...INLAND
 72HR VT     27/1800Z 34.5N  89.0W    20 KT...REMNANT LOW
 96HR VT     28/1800Z 34.5N  89.0W    20 KT...REMNANT LOW
120HR VT     29/1800Z 34.5N  89.0W    20 KT...DISSIPATING
 
 
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