REPORT WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR SE TX/SW LA

[vbhoutex]

I am starting this thread for all in the line of fire from Rita to report in as they can. EVERYONE BE SAFE!!!

Of course, at this point, the outer edge of Rita has not reached the Houston area yet, but off on the Eastern horizon you can see the outer edge moving our way.

[wxman57]

Sunny, hot, moderate northeast breeze here in Westbury (SW Houston). I can see Rita's cirrus shield to the southeast. It looks like we may well escape those hurricane force winds in Houston. If the center hits south of Port Arthur, we'll most likely see 40-50 mph sustained winds and gusts to 60-70 mph. I'm encouraged by the northward jog in the past hour or two as well.

So, as our final hurricane preparations, the wife & I are going on a 25 mile bike ride down the Brays Bayou bike trail. Beats sitting around waiting. I think we have 3-4 hours before any rain moves in at least.

[Swimdude]

Just another cloudy day here in West Houston so far. We're expecting 60-65 mph sustained winds. I'm attending a neighbor's hurricane party at 3:00 p.m. and staying for as long as my parents will allow. Then we're all just going to hunker down for the night.

I think everything will be fine here. =)

[Innotech]

winds starting to pick up here. Id say about 30-40 mph starting to gust.
Raining off and on, extremely overcast htreatening skies.

[KatDaddy]

I am taking refuge in Bellaire. I think we will be ok. Maybe gusts 50-60MPH but thats it at this point.

[Roxy]

Gusts out of the NNE at 20 here. Cloudy but no rain.

[Roxy]

Gusts out of the NNE at 20 here. Cloudy but no rain.

[vbhoutex]

Winds are picking up. We're getting about 15-20 sustained with gusts around 30. Otherwise, we can see the heavier clouds off to the se with a few low ones scudding by. Otherwise we have the cirrus sheild over us with sun poking through and 90º.

[PTrackerLA]

Heavy rain for the past few hours. Sky darkens every 15 minutes or so followed by strong bursts of wind and rain. Winds are gusting to 40mph right now should top out at about 60-70mph later tonight as long Rita doesn't hit closer.

[ROCK]

Pearland- 15 to 25 mph.....cloudy no rain as of yet...

[jbgreig]

Southwest of Beaumont:

My 1 minute average with a Kestrel 4000 was 17.2 and max gust was 25.5.

I'll get a raincoat and get a bit off the porch. Raining light but very steady.

[dwg71]

Pasadena. 10-15 winds, no rain. Cloudy. Mood has greatly improved inside the house as well.

[dwg71]

Pasadena Update... Light rain, windy 10-15MPH. Still have power, and if all goes well hopefully wont lose it.

[Roxy]

Pasadena. 10-15 winds, no rain. Cloudy. Mood has greatly improved inside the house as well.

I know what you mean, I suddenly feel very tired, it's been a long few days.

Windy and a little rain in Clear Lake.

[vbhoutex]

First rainband came through with very little rain, but winds gusting around 40 and sustained probably around 20-25. Houston Intercontinental has reported 52 mph gusts and Galveston has reported 63 mph. Local ocm's reporting winds of 100 mph in Lake Charles.

[ROCK]

Pearland check in-----light rain winds 30-35 sustained with gusts in the squalls 45 maybe 50....wife is getting better....hopefully I will get lucky tonight....

[artist]

according to ABC13 SW Frwy under water

[Innotech]

checkin in from Lafayette again. Gusts that soundl ike 60-70 at least and a tornado warning just cleared. I swear I actually heard the tornado pass by. It had to be about 5 miles or less.

[Houstonia]

Southwest Houston - not much wind, some gusts - a few to T.S. strength. Power went out at 4:21 p.m. came back on at 4:45 p.m. went out again at 5 p.m. came back on just after 7 p.m. It's flashed a bit since then but nothing major.

I'm wondering if this is all we're going to get... Not enough rain to soak the plants that need it...

... which is fine with me, by the way!

[stormie_skies]

Winds have been picking up a little here in Missouri City.....a bit of rain, but not nearly enough....I'm glad its cooling off here a bit, but I sure hope we get more rain than this. This isn't even enough to water the grass.