Atmospheric conditions are expected to gradually become more conducive for strengthening. |
Both the location and the timing of the impacts on Florida remain very uncertain. |
Even though it will be moving fairly quickly, it still could be a significant rainmaker, in part because it is such a large system, |
In any case, it looks like it's strengthening and it's not going to be far behind our intensity forecast. |
It's really our poster child for forecast uncertainty in terms of the track. |
Our best estimate of the track possibilities are that anywhere from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle could expect the center to be approaching them by the middle of the weekend. |
People should be aware that the hurricane season doesn't end till November and we could get more activity. |
The center could cross anywhere on the Florida Peninsula, but most models show it crossing between Tampa south to the Keys anytime Monday or Tuesday. |
We are expecting Rita to hurl some very bad weather toward Miami-Dade and even Broward. |
We expect that will continue for the next couple of days, |
We want to improve our ability to convey uncertainty in our forecast to various users. |
We're looking at a major hurricane in the east-central Gulf later this week. |