UPDATE - 29.67 & falling rapidly 180 nm S. of SW Pass, L

[dixiebreeze]

Wind Direction (WDIR): NNE ( 30 deg true )
Wind Speed (WSPD): 27.2 kts
Wind Gust (GST): 38.9 kts
Wave Height (WVHT): 21.3 ft
Dominant Wave Period (DPD): 15 sec
Average Period (APD): 9.7 sec
Mean Wave Direction (MWDIR): ESE ( 108 deg true )
Atmospheric Pressure (PRES): 29.67 in
Pressure Tendency (PTDY): -0.12 in ( Falling Rapidly )
Air Temperature (ATMP): 78.4 °F
Water Temperature (WTMP): 84.9 °F
Dew Point (DEWP): 77.5 °F
Heat Index (HEAT): 81.9 °F
Combined plot of Wind Speed, Gust, and Air Pressure
Continuous Winds TIME
(CDT) WDIR WSPD
4:50 pm NNE ( 31 deg ) 26.4 kts
4:40 pm NE ( 37 deg ) 23.7 kts
4:30 pm NE ( 38 deg ) 28.4 kts
4:20 pm N ( 11 deg ) 25.6 kts
4:10 pm N ( 9 deg ) 23.7 kts
4:00 pm N ( 11 deg ) 25.6 kts

[carve]

Dixie..what could this possibly mean?

[MortisFL]

This could so easily go into the Hurricane Rita thread...

[dixiebreeze]

This could so easily go into the Hurricane Rita thread...

Well, so could almost everything else posted -- and then we wouldn't have an S2K forum.

[carve]

So what does barom. fall in LA mean?

[dixiebreeze]

So what does barom. fall in LA mean?

Not sure, but it's at the buoy about 140 miles S. of LA in the GOM. However, I suspect pressures are starting to fall all over the gulf.

[dixiebreeze]

Dixie..what could this possibly mean?

Maybe it's possible the rapidly drop in pressure reflects the more WNW trend of Rita. Any pros want to comment?

[tallywx]

Didn't an ancient and venerable New Orleans meteorologist (retired a few years ago) use a nice technique to see where along the coast pressure falls were the most rapid, which would be an indication of where the storm would hit?

I remember one of his apprentices on WWL-TV doing so before Katrina, which suggested an east-of-New-Orleans/Slidell track, which is exactly what she took.

[Brent]

Perhaps it's because a 904 mb hurricane is passing 300 miles to the south???

[AL Chili Pepper]

Perhaps it's because a 904 mb hurricane is passing 300 miles to the south???

[dixiebreeze]

Perhaps it's because a 904 mb hurricane is passing 300 miles to the south???

Well, brain surgeon, they're not dropping rapidly in other areas 300 miles distance.

[soonertwister]

The track to LA theory would make since, if we had data buoys every 10 miles across the entire gulf and they all pointed toward LA.

We have just a few buoys here and there, that particular buoy happens to be closest to Rita.

I don't want to break the bad news to all you horror-mongers who want another cane in that state, but the chances of Rita making landfall there are pretty slim. Don't worry though, that state will suffer more grief as a result of Rita, it's just that you won't be the headliners on this tour.

Sorry.