318 
 WTNT43 KNHC 242044
 TCDAT3
 TROPICAL STORM RITA DISCUSSION NUMBER  29
 NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
 5 PM EDT SAT SEP 24 2005
  
 RITA HAS CONTINUED TO WEAKEN AS IT MOVES INLAND. INITIAL INTENSITY
 IS ESTIMATED AT 45 KNOTS BASED ON DOPPLER RADAR BUT WIND GUSTS ARE
 PROBABLY HIGHER.  FURTHER WEAKENING IS ANTICIPATED AND RITA IS
 EXPECTED TO BE A TROPICAL DEPRESSION WITHIN THE NEXT 12 HOURS OR SO.
  
 RITA IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH OR 360 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS. STEERING
 CURRENTS ARE FORECAST TO BECOME VERY LIGHT SO ONLY A SMALL EASTWARD
 DRIFT IS ANTICIPATED BEYOND 24 HOURS. RITA SHOULD PRODUCE
 TORRENTIAL RAIN ALONG ITS PATH.
 
 BECAUSE TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND ABOUT 150 N MI SOUTH OF
 THE CENTER...A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE
 COAST FROM HIGH ISLAND TEXAS TO MORGAN CITY LOUISIANA.
  
 FORECASTER AVILA
  
  
 FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
  
 INITIAL      24/2100Z 32.1N  94.0W    45 KT
  12HR VT     25/0600Z 33.5N  93.8W    30 KT...INLAND
  24HR VT     25/1800Z 35.0N  93.0W    25 KT...INLAND
  36HR VT     26/0600Z 35.0N  91.5W    25 KT...INLAND
  48HR VT     26/1800Z 35.0N  90.0W    20 KT...INLAND
  72HR VT     27/1800Z 34.5N  89.0W    20 KT...REMNANT LOW
  96HR VT     28/1800Z 34.5N  89.0W    20 KT...REMNANT LOW
 120HR VT     29/1800Z 34.5N  89.0W    20 KT...DISSIPATING
  
  
 $$