Rita weakens a "little bit" more... Now a strong Cat 3

[Geoff_M]

A little good news:
11:05 a.m.: In latest update, National Hurricane Center says Rita is "a little weaker," on the "border" between a Category 4 and Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 135 mph. That's down from 140 mph and Category 4.

Link (http://online.wsj.com/public/article/0,,SB112731385505947351-BJ0nkKk5ENd7mMG3PLMk1lEXK88_20060921,00.html?mod=b logs)

latest from the NWS:UNLESS ANOTHER EYEWALL CYCLE OCCURS THAT COULD BRING
THE WINDS TEMPORARILY UP A LITTLE BIT...THE OVERALL TENDENCY IS FOR
RITA TO WEAKEN GRADUALLY. SO FAR THE PASSAGE OF RITA OVER THE WARM
EDDY IN THE GULF OF MEXICO HAS NOT RESULTED IN INTENSIFICATION.
HOWEVER...RESEARCH SUGGESTS THERE IS A LAG IN THE ATMOSPHERIC
RESPONSE. NEVERTHERLESS...RITA IS EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL AS
CATEGORY 3 OR...A LITTLE LESS LIKELY...CATEGORY 4 INTENSITY.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT3+shtml/222049.shtml

[C.Ann]

Let's hope it keeps weakening!! :flower:

[Tigger_Magic]

Keep spinning DOWN, Rita! Weaker is better.

[bsnyder]

The eyewall is collapsing a bit, that would be very good news if the trend continues!

[Geoff_M]

Slowly, Rita continues to weaken:MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 125 MPH WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. RITA IS NOW A CATEGORY THREE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON
SCALE. A FURTHER SLOW WEAKENING IS POSSIBLE BEFORE LANDFALL...BUT
RITA IS STILL EXPECTED TO COME ASHORE AS A DANGEROUS HURRICANE.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT3+shtml/210248.shtml

[Miss Jasmine]

This is not surprising, it looked like there would be some factors such as dry air building into Rita to bring her down. I am glad it is really happening. Hopefully there won't be an ERC.

[Chuck S]

I guess the weakening would explain why the wind was getting gusty here near San Antonio, then died down some. I can't believe we're seeing some wind this far inland this early. Still not expecting anything major here, but I was surprised the wind came up so quickly.

[dturner]

Even though we are NOT suppose to get anything including rain in the Dallas area I've noticed within the last hour the wind has picked up a bit.

[snappy]

It started off drizzling this morning, and it has go on now to hard driving rain. The wind was really whipping my trees around a few minutes ago, now it is a little calmer. I feel pretty sure we will lose power before it is over. We were lucky with Katrina, we were only without power for about 8 hours the first day and for about an hour or two the next couple of days. I am hoping we are as lucky this time, but we are ready for anything. Thank goodness for underground electric lines.

Stay safe everyone!!