Lovely Rita

Rita making landfall, as seen from the Lake Charles Doppler radar, 0742UTC 24 September 2005.

Although it's fun to watch CNN and other networks reporting on the winds and rain, it's also interesting to look at real data from the National Weather Service and see what really happened as the storm moved ashore.

Lake Charles, Louisiana and Beaumont, Texas are obviously being pounded at this point - the eyewall, where the most intense winds occur, is passing directly over them. The highest wind reported from either location was a gust of 91 knots (105 mph) at Beaumont. The strongest sustained winds reported were 56 knots (64 mph). The sustained winds define the hurricane category - these would indicate Rita was a tropical storm, near hurricane strength.

Lake Charles' wind reports stopped a few hours before landfall - up until that time they were experiencing 46 knots sustained winds, with gusts of 64 (53 and 74 mph). It's not unreasonable to assume that their peak winds were ultimately higher than Beaumont's - they were in a more favorable sector of the storm for that, so Rita may have been a cat 1 hurricane at that point.

There were category 1 hurricane winds reported at a coastal observing site, labeled SRST2 on the map below. There the sustained winds were measured at 71 knots, with gusts of 86. (82 and 99 mph).

We'll keep looking for reliable reports on the actual intensity of Hurricane Rita and update if found. In the meantime the coded observations are in the extended section, with peak winds highlighted.

Lake Charles, La:

KLCH 241253Z AUTO A2902 RMK AO2 SLP836 PWINO FZRANO TSNO PNO $
KLCH 240653Z AUTO A2873 RMK AO2 PRESFR SLP738 PWINO FZRANO TSNO PNO $
KLCH 240553Z AUTO A2888 RMK AO2 PRESFR SLP789 6//// 402830239 58106 PWINO FZRANO TSNO PNO $
KLCH 240453Z AUTO A2900 RMK AO2 PRESFR SLP829 PWINO FZRANO TSNO PNO $
KLCH 240353Z AUTO A2909 RMK AO2 RAB0256E06 SLP860 P0035 PWINO FZRANO TSNO $
KLCH 240333Z AUTO 04038G50KTS A2915 RMK AO2 RAB0256E06 P0035 PWINO TSNO WINDS AUGEMNETED WITH RSOIS$
KLCH 240310Z AUTO 05040G49KT 1 3/4SM BR BKN017 BKN023 OVC028 24/23 A2917 RMK AO2 PK WND 05059/0259 RAB0256E06 P0015 TSNO $
KLCH 240300Z AUTO 06046G59KT 1 3/4SM +RA BR SCT015 BKN021 OVC033 24/23 A2919 RMK AO2 PK WND 05059/0259 RAB0256 P0005 TSNO $
KLCH 240253Z AUTO 05042G52KT 2SM BR FEW012 BKN019 OVC033 24/23 A2920 RMK AO2 PK WND 04064/0207 RAB50E53 SLP895 P0044 60115 02390228 56040 TSNO
KLCH 240210Z AUTO 04046G64KT 1SM BR FEW009 BKN019 OVC023 24/23 A2917 RMK AO2 PK WND 04064/0207 P0015 TSNO
KLCH 240153Z AUTO 04039G52KT 1 1/2SM BR SCT016 BKN024 OVC031 24/23 A2921 RMK AO2 PK WND 03062/0131 SLP898 P0025 T02390228 TSNO
KLCH 240133Z AUTO 04044G62KT 1 3/4SM BR FEW012 BKN020 OVC031 24/23 A2922 RMK AO2 PK WND 03062/0131 P0014 TSNO
KLCH 240124Z AUTO 04042G56KT 1 1/4SM BR SCT012 BKN018 OVC027 24/23 A2924 RMK AO2 PK WND 03056/0118 P0011 TSNO
KLCH 240100Z AUTO 04041G62KT 2SM BR FEW013 BKN028 OVC035 24/23 A2925 RMK AO2 PK WND 04052/0056 P0002 TSNO
KLCH 240053Z AUTO 04041G62KT 1 1/2SM BR SCT013 BKN019 OVC035 24/23 A2925 RMK AO2 PK WND 04062/0051 RAE2357B19E21 SLP914 P0046 T02390228 TSNO
KLCH 240038Z AUTO 03040G52KT 1 1/2SM BR FEW009 BKN020 OVC025 24/22 A2926 RMK AO2 PK WND 03052/0037 RAE2357B19E21 PRESFR P0037 TSNO
KLCH 240018Z AUTO 03034G47KT 1 1/4SM BR SCT013 BKN017 OVC030 24/22 A2929 RMK AO2 PK WND 02049/0004 RAE2357 P0020 TSNO
KLCH 240005Z AUTO 03040G49KT 1 3/4SM BR BKN014 BKN019 OVC032 24/22 A2931 RMK AO2 PK WND 02049/0004 RAE2357 P0007 TSNO
KLCH 232353Z AUTO 03037G47KT 2 1/2SM -RA BR SCT014 BKN020 OVC028 24/22 A2932 RMK AO2 PK WND 03047/2351 VIS 1 3/4V4 SLP935 P0025 60103 02440222 10261 20244 58058 TSNO
KLCH 232340Z AUTO 03034G47KT 1 1/2SM BR SCT012 BKN019 OVC026 24/22 A2934 RMK AO2 PK WND 03047/2338 RAE38 P0021 TSNO
KLCH 232327Z AUTO 03031G44KT 1 1/2SM +RA BR SCT017 BKN024 OVC036 24/22 A2935 RMK AO2 PK WND 02047/2308 P0014 TSNO
KLCH 232318Z AUTO 03028G43KT 2SM +RA BR SCT016 BKN023 OVC036 24/22 A2936 RMK AO2 PK WND 02047/2308 P0008 TSNO
KLCH 232309Z AUTO 03036G47KT 2SM -RA BR BKN016 BKN023 OVC036 24/22 A2937 RMK AO2 PK WND 02047/2308 PRESFR P0005 TSNO
KLCH 232300Z AUTO 03033G43KT 2 1/2SM -RA SCT016 BKN021 OVC040 25/22 A2939 RMK AO2 PK WND 03043/2259 PRESFR P0001 TSNO
KLCH 232253Z AUTO 04035G42KT 3SM +RA BKN016 OVC025 25/22 A2940 RMK AO2 PK WND 04044/2226 RAB2154 SLP963 P0025 T02500222 TSNO
KLCH 232240Z AUTO 04029G40KT 3SM RA FEW014 BKN018 OVC026 25/22 A2943 RMK AO2 PK WND 04044/2226 RAB2154 P0022 TSNO
KLCH 232233Z AUTO 04032G44KT 2 1/2SM RA FEW015 BKN022 OVC029 25/22 A2941 RMK AO2 PK WND 04044/2226 RAB2154 P0019 TSNO
KLCH 232219Z AUTO 04028G40KT 1 3/4SM +RA BR FEW012 BKN019 OVC024 24/22 A2944 RMK AO2 PK WND 03044/2154 RAB2154 P0013 TSNO
KLCH 232214Z AUTO 03030G40KT 2SM +RA BR SCT014 BKN022 OVC028 24/22 A2943 RMK AO2 PK WND 03044/2154 RAB2154 P0011 TSNO
KLCH 232208Z AUTO 03031G41KT 1 1/2SM +RA BR BKN014 BKN020 OVC025 24/22 A2943 RMK AO2 PK WND 03044/2154 RAB2154 P0008 TSNO
KLCH 232153Z AUTO 03031G42KT 2SM HZ SCT014 BKN019 OVC025 25/22 A2943 RMK AO2 PK WND 03044/2107 RAE43 SLP973 P0019 T02500222 TSNO
KLCH 232139Z AUTO 03029G41KT 1 1/2SM -RA BR BKN017 OVC022 24/22 A2943 RMK AO2 PK WND 03044/2107 P0014 TSNO
KLCH 232130Z AUTO 02031G41KT 2SM +RA SCT014 BKN019 OVC025 25/22 A2944 RMK AO2 PK WND 03044/2107 PRESFR P0009 TSNO
KLCH 232109Z AUTO 03029G44KT 3SM HZ BKN016 BKN020 OVC038 25/22 A2947 RMK AO2 PK WND 03044/2107 RAE04 P0003 TSNO
KLCH 232053Z AUTO 03027G39KT 2 1/2SM RA OVC016 25/22 A2949 RMK AO2 PK WND 04047/2025 SLP993 P0017 60034 T02500222 56052 TSNO
KLCH 232034Z AUTO 03030G47KT 2 1/2SM RA SCT016 OVC022 25/22 A2951 RMK AO2 PK WND 04047/2025 P0009 TSNO
KLCH 232006Z AUTO 03026G35KT 3SM RA BKN016 OVC023 25/22 A2953 RMK AO2 PK WND 04035/2003 P0004 TSNO

Beaumont, Tx:

KBPT 241053Z AUTO 24038G51KT M1/4SM -RA OVC016 23/ RMK AO2 PK WND 28059/0957 SLPNO P0005 T0233 TSNO $
KBPT 240958Z AUTO 29039G59KT 1/4SM RA FEW012 BKN016 OVC031 23/ RMK AO2 PK WND 28059/0957 VIS M1/4V5 P0000 TSNO $
KBPT 240953Z AUTO 29038G53KT 2SM RA FEW012 BKN016 OVC023 23/ RMK AO2 PK WND 32080/0904 VIS 1/2V5 RAB35 SLPNO P0060 T0233 TSNO $
KBPT 240944Z AUTO 30047G61KT 3/4SM RA FEW007 BKN016 OVC023 24/ RMK AO2 PK WND 32080/0904 VIS 1/2V5 RAB35 P0060 TSNO $
KBPT 240938Z AUTO 30047G61KT 1 1/2SM RA FEW006 BKN016 OVC023 24/ RMK AO2 PK WND 32080/0904 VIS 1/2V5 RAB35 P0060 TSNO $
KBPT 240935Z AUTO 30047G63KT 3SM RA FEW006 BKN016 OVC023 24/ RMK AO2 PK WND 32080/0904 RAB35 P0057 TSNO $
KBPT 240923Z AUTO 32053G64KT 1 3/4SM BR FEW003 SCT008 OVC016 24/ RMK AO2 PK WND 32080/0904 VIS 1/2V5 P0054 TSNO $
KBPT 240920Z AUTO 32050G69KT 1SM BR FEW003 SCT008 OVC015 24/ RMK AO2 PK WND 32080/0904 VIS 1/2V5 P0050 TSNO $
KBPT 240912Z AUTO 32056G80KT 1/4SM FG FEW001 SCT008 OVC015 24/ RMK AO2 PK WND 32080/0904 P0039 TSNO $
KBPT 240853Z AUTO 34055G91KT 1/4SM FG SCT001 BKN006 OVC011 24/ RMK AO2 PK WND 33091/0847 SLPNO P0249 60460 T0239 TSNO $
KBPT 240818Z AUTO 34056G86KT 1/4SM FG BKN001 BKN006 OVC014 24/ RMK AO2 PK WND 35086/0811 P0114 TSNO $
KBPT 240800Z AUTO 36048G80KT 1/4SM FG FEW001 BKN009 OVC020 24/ A2822 RMK AO2 PK WND 01066/0756 P0014 TSNO $
KBPT 240753Z AUTO 36053G80KT 1/2SM FG SCT001 BKN015 OVC020 24/ A2823 RMK AO2 PK WND 35080/0751 PRESFR SLP560 P0094 T0239 TSNO $
KBPT 240653Z AUTO 01048G61KT 3/4SM BR FEW002 BKN018 OVC027 24/ A2854 RMK AO2 PK WND 03067/0631 PRESFR SLP662 P0117 T0239 TSNO $
KBPT 240553Z AUTO 36045G66KT 1/2SM FG SCT002 BKN010 OVC017 24/ A2873 RMK AO2 PK WND 02068/0515 PRESFR SLP729 P0104 60284 T0239 10244 20233 402890233 58154 TSNO $
KBPT 240535Z AUTO 01043G59KT 1/2SM FG SCT004 BKN010 OVC017 23/ A2879 RMK AO2 PK WND 02068/0515 PRESFR P0069 TSNO $
KBPT 240511Z AUTO 36047G65KT 3/4SM BR FEW008 BKN023 OVC027 24/ A2888 RMK AO2 PK WND 01065/0510 P0018 TSNO $
KBPT 240453Z AUTO 01043G57KT 1SM BR SCT014 BKN020 OVC027 24/ A2891 RMK AO2 PK WND 01070/0426 RAB08E17 PRESFR SLP789 P0048 T0239 TSNO $
KBPT 240446Z AUTO 36042G57KT 1SM BR BKN016 BKN023 OVC030 24/ A2894 RMK AO2 PK WND 01070/0426 RAB08E17 P0039 TSNO $
KBPT 240436Z AUTO 36042G61KT 1 1/2SM BR FEW012 BKN025 OVC032 24/ A2897 RMK AO2 PK WND 01070/0426 RAB08E17 P0033 TSNO $
KBPT 240417Z AUTO 01048G60KT 1 1/4SM BR FEW013 BKN020 OVC039 24/ A2904 RMK AO2 PK WND 02060/0414 RAB08E17 P0019 TSNO $
KBPT 240405Z AUTO 01036G57KT 1 3/4SM BR FEW015 BKN023 OVC034 24/ A2906 RMK AO2 PK WND 03057/0400 PRESFR P0008 TSNO $
KBPT 240353Z AUTO 01043G55KT 1 1/4SM BR SCT016 BKN022 OVC035 24/ A2907 RMK AO2 PK WND 02057/0343 RAE05 PRESFR SLP845 P0038 T0239 TSNO $
KBPT 240316Z AUTO 01042G52KT 1 1/2SM BR FEW016 BKN022 OVC031 24/ A2917 RMK AO2 PK WND 02052/0310 RAE05 P0012 TSNO $
KBPT 240306Z AUTO 02036G52KT 2SM BR FEW015 BKN021 OVC030 24/ A2918 RMK AO2 PK WND 02052/0304 RAE05 P0005 TSNO $
KBPT 240253Z AUTO 01031G47KT 3SM RA BKN019 BKN028 OVC035 24/ A2919 RMK AO2 PK WND 02054/0238 RAB53 SLP883 P0035 60094 T0244 56062 TSNO $
KBPT 240245Z AUTO 01037G54KT 1 1/2SM BR SCT018 BKN026 OVC032 24/ A2920 RMK AO2 PK WND 02054/0238 P0031 TSNO $
KBPT 240225Z AUTO 01038G50KT 2 1/2SM BR SCT017 BKN022 OVC041 24/ A2920 RMK AO2 PK WND 02051/0210 P0020 TSNO $
KBPT 240153Z AUTO 01034G49KT 1 1/2SM BR BKN015 BKN020 OVC025 24/ A2924 RMK AO2 PK WND 36050/0117 RAB03E51 PRESFR SLP901 P0037 T0239 TSNO $
KBPT 240141Z AUTO 36031G47KT 2 1/2SM -RA SCT013 BKN021 OVC040 24/ A2924 RMK AO2 PK WND 36050/0117 RAB03 P0027 TSNO $
KBPT 240136Z AUTO 01035G45KT 3SM +RA BKN013 BKN022 OVC034 24/ A2926 RMK AO2 PK WND 36050/0117 RAB03 P0027 TSNO $
KBPT 240121Z AUTO 01034G50KT 2SM BR SCT013 BKN020 OVC026 24/ A2926 RMK AO2 PK WND 36050/0117 RAB03E19 PRESFR P0020 TSNO $
KBPT 240053Z AUTO 01035G47KT 1 3/4SM BR FEW014 BKN022 OVC035 24/ A2931 RMK AO2 PK WND 01047/0050 RAE35 SLP925 P0022 T0239 TSNO $
KBPT 240045Z AUTO 01033G47KT 1 1/2SM BR SCT017 BKN022 OVC035 24/ A2931 RMK AO2 PK WND 02047/0040 RAE35 PRESFR P0016 TSNO $
KBPT 240038Z AUTO 01033G47KT 2SM BR SCT017 BKN022 OVC035 24/ A2932 RMK AO2 PK WND 36047/0036 RAE35 PRESFR P0012 TSNO $
KBPT 240012Z AUTO 01029G42KT 3SM +RA FEW017 BKN027 OVC036 24/ A2935 RMK AO2 PK WND 01042/0011 PRESFR P0004 TSNO $

Station SRST2 - Sabine, TX:

09 24 8:00 am WSW 47 58 - - - - 28.97
09 24 7:00 am WSW 48 56 - - - - 28.85
09 24 6:00 am WSW 41 49 - - - - 28.74
09 24 5:00 am W 41 59 - - - - 28.59
09 24 4:00 am WNW 54 64 - - - - 28.39
09 24 3:00 am NNW 65 78 - - - - 28.09
09 24 2:00 am N 71 86 - - - - 28.23
09 24 1:00 am N 63 79 - - - - 28.46
09 24 12:00 am N 63 78 - - - - 28.64
09 23 11:00 pm N 61 72 - - - - 28.87
09 23 10:00 pm N 54 66 - - - - 29.03
09 23 9:00 pm N 48 61 - - - - 29.10
09 23 8:00 pm N 48 60 - - - - 29.20
09 23 7:00 pm N 42 52 - - - - 29.27
09 23 6:00 pm N 40 50 - - - - 29.34
09 23 5:00 pm N 33 43 - - - - 29.41
09 23 4:00 pm N 37 47 - - - - 29.47
09 23 3:00 pm N 28 36 - - - - 29.52
09 23 2:00 pm N 25 34 - - - - 29.55
09 23 1:00 pm NNE 26 36 - - - - 29.61
09 23 12:00 pm N 22 28 - - - - 29.64
09 23 11:00 am NNE 26 30 - - - - 29.67
09 23 10:00 am NNE 24 31 - - - - 29.68