Could Rita STILL be strengthening???

[fasterdisaster]

The cloud tops continue to get colder, and looking at the screen on CNN in the corner, the "purple" area on the IR is basically perfect looking.

I suppose I should put this:
The following post is NOT an official forecast and should not be used as such. It is just the opinion of the poster and may or may not be backed by sound meteorological data. It is NOT endorsed by any professional institution including storm2k.org For Official Information please refer to the NHC and NWS products.

But it really seems to still be intensifying.

[canegrl04]

The NHC has already stated that additional strengthening is possible over the next 12 hours. We could wake up to a 185-190mph historic hurricane

[Scorpion]

Indeed it is. Recon could be missing lowest pressure and highest winds. If they go in and find 895-900 mb and a worst radar appearance than now then I think NHC will say 890 is the lowest it went.

[milankovitch]

I was just looking at IR and thinking the same thing.

[Brent]

10pm advisory...

175 mph, 897 mb, 185 mph, gusts to 210 mph tomorrow, Cat 4 at landfall near Galveston Friday Evening

http://www.jamesspann.com/bmachine/wxtalk.php

[johngaltfla]

10pm advisory...

175 mph, 897 mb, 185 mph, gusts to 210 mph tomorrow, Cat 4 at landfall near Galveston Friday Evening

http://www.jamesspann.com/bmachine/wxtalk.php

I wonder what the experts will say if it holds Cat 5 through tommorrow. If it completes an EWRC and does not drop below 150, what would prevent it from slamming into Texas as a Cat 5?

[johngaltfla]

10pm advisory...

175 mph, 897 mb, 185 mph, gusts to 210 mph tomorrow, Cat 4 at landfall near Galveston Friday Evening

http://www.jamesspann.com/bmachine/wxtalk.php

I wonder what the experts will say if it holds Cat 5 through tommorrow. If it completes an EWRC and does not drop below 150, what would prevent it from slamming into Texas as a Cat 5?

[milwaukeebrian]

The shear and land interaction Rita is expected to go through just before it makes landfall.

[cjrciadt]

897 and 175 winds, and both of these estimates might be underestimated

[Greybeard7]

Not being well versed in these things, is it possible that this thing could get so strong that it beats itself to death? I mean, could this just get SO strong that it exhausts the available energy around it?

GB7

[milwaukeebrian]

The shear and land interaction Rita is expected to go through just before it makes landfall.

[johngaltfla]

The shear and land interaction Rita is expected to go through just before it makes landfall.

I'll stick with the words of the NHC on July 12, 2005 at 5 pm:

TROPICAL STORM EMILY DISCUSSION NUMBER 8
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL

TROPICAL STORM EMILY DISCUSSION NUMBER 8
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL

I fear we're in uncharted territory here folks. I maintain all bets are off.

[fuzzyblow]

Not being well versed in these things, is it possible that this thing could get so strong that it beats itself to death? I mean, could this just get SO strong that it exhausts the available energy around it?

GB7

Very good question,,, and how many (ER) can we have in gom, from Kees to Houston?

[Tri-State_1925]

From what I'm seeing, I'm actually surprised that this isn't stronger than 175 mph at this point. It just keeps looking stronger on IR...

[jpigott]

Is she still strengthening, most likely yes, but it's hard to say for sure b/c RECON IS NOT THERE. Don't get me wrong, i have great respect for those guys, but there is literally history in the making here and nobody is out there taking measurements. Unfriggenbelievable

[bahamaswx]

SHIPS continues intensifying Rita through 12hrs.

[soonertwister]

It's just pathetic how NHC has thus far treated this historic weather event. The numbers easily supported 160 knots / 185 mph, and they chose to downplay the storm.

They used the crutch of no further recon flights for hours as the comfort cushion they needed to whitewash the danger. They are so afraid of their shadows right now, don't drop a pin in the same room, or you might see an unanticipated negative event.

You know, like a hurricane named Rita.

[Scorpion]

I totally agree sooner.

[mettski]

It's just pathetic how NHC has thus far treated this historic weather event. The numbers easily supported 160 knots / 185 mph, and they chose to downplay the storm.

They used the crutch of no further recon flights for hours as the comfort cushion they needed to whitewash the danger. They are so afraid of their shadows right now, don't drop a pin in the same room, or you might see an unanticipated negative event.

You know, like a hurricane named Rita.

or big brother stopping all recons for the same reason. weird.

[Scorpion]

I totally agree sooner.