1900CDT update posted, and it's bad

[unixronin]

Rita has now passed Katrina's intensity in terms of eye pressure, which directly drives wind speeds:

...CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE RITA CONTINUING TO DEEPEN... ...NOW THE THIRD MOST INTENSE HURRICANE IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN ON RECORD...

REPEATING THE 7 PM CDT POSITION...24.5 N... 86.8 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD...WEST NEAR 13 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...165 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...898 MB.

As dmmaus just observed, if Rita continues to intensify at this rate, about two hours from how it will be the most intense Atlantic hurricane ever measured.  See also this commentary:

The thermal eyewall temp difference is an astounding 21°C

I freely admit to not knowing enough about hurricanes to know why a 21°C eyewall temperature gradient is astounding, but it doesn't bode well.  He also comments that Rita's 10-millibar pressure drop in one hour is a record.

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(Oops .... I've had this post sitting here for an hour and forgot to actually post it.)

Comments

[plutosonium.livejournal.com]

A 38 freaking degree temperature difference? (fahrenheit, of course.. I don't think in celsius.) I don't think you have to know much about hurricanes to think be impressed. That's a huge temperature difference to have in a small area with nothing but air in the middle.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Yeah, no kidding. I don't know what the "typical" range is, though, and haven't yet been able to find out.