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.
http://tinypic.com/dwt7w2.jpg
The landfall location has been moved 15-20 miles northeast of the previous forecast, but that is only circumstantial - a result of attempting to forecast positions on whole or half degrees at 72 hours and beyond. The total range of projected landfall locations from advisory 1 to advisory 7 is 38 miles. Long story short: I'm sticking with my Matagorda projection for now.
Intensity forecast takes it to a 150-knot peak in 12 hours, followed by slow weakening thereafter. Landfall is still projected at category-4 intensity, and at a 10-knot increase from my previous forecast.
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12 hours ago, I predicted the center of Rita to be at 24.6 N and 87.0 W in 12 hours, with an intensity of 115 knots. I was off just 19 statute miles in position, and 12 statute miles off in track. However, my intensity estimate was low by a whopping 30 knots.
24 hours ago, I predicted the center of Rita to be at 24.5 N and 87.0 W in 12 hours, with an intensity of 105 knots. I was off just 14 statute miles in position, and 6 statute miles off in track. However, my intensity estimate was low by a ridiculous 40 knots.
36 hours ago, I predicted the center of Rita to be at 24.5 N and 86.5 W in 12 hours, with an intensity of 90 knots. I was off just 20 statute miles in position, and 10 statute miles off in track. However, my intensity estimate was low by an astronomical 55 knots.
48 hours ago, I predicted the center of Rita to be at 24.5 N and 85.5 W in 12 hours, with an intensity of 100 knots. I was off 82 statute miles in position, but only 14 statute miles off in track. However, my intensity estimate was low by an astounding 45 knots.
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The next forecast is scheduled for 10pm CDT.