Hurricane RITA
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HURRICANE RITA DISCUSSION NUMBER 28
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
11 AM EDT SAT SEP 24 2005
RITA HAS CONTINUED TO WEAKEN AS IT MOVES FARTHER INLAND. DOPPLER
RADAR INDICATE THAT WINDS ARE ABOUT 80 TO 90 KNOTS AT ABOUT 5000
FEET. THIS WOULD SUPPORT SUSTAINED WINDS OF 65 KNOTS AT THE SURFACE
BUT MUCH HIGHER GUSTS. NOW THAT THE CORE OF RITA IS WELL INLAND
WEAKENING SHOULD CONTINUE AS INDICATED BY DECAY SHIPS MODEL.
RITA IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH OR 350 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 AS IT DRIFTS EASTWARD.
FORECASTER AVILA
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
INITIAL 24/1500Z 31.0N 94.3W 65 KT
12HR VT 25/0000Z 32.5N 94.5W 40 KT...INLAND
24HR VT 25/1200Z 34.0N 93.5W 30 KT...INLAND
36HR VT 26/0000Z 34.5N 92.0W 25 KT...INLAND
48HR VT 26/1200Z 34.5N 91.5W 25 KT...INLAND
72HR VT 27/1200Z 34.5N 90.0W 25 KT...REMNANT LOW
96HR VT 28/1200Z 34.5N 90.0W 25 KT...REMNANT LOW
120HR VT 29/1200Z 34.5N 90.0W 25 KT...DISSIPATING
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