Now a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 100mph+, Rita is glancing the Florida Keys as I type.

Consistent with Bryan’s earlier prediction (Key West radar clearly shows the Hurricane Rita has formed an eye, although Dvorak satellite shots are still missing this feature. This could be setting the stage for explosive growth soon. 1038AM EDT) Rita has rapidly strengthened with a 2pm advisory putting Rita at 978mb; a drop of 13mb over the past 12 hours. While we have seen some explosive pressure drops this year, a consistent drop of 1mb+ per hour is a quickly strengthening storm.

Someone in the comments asked about ‘bombing out’. It’s a meteorology term for rapid intensification of a storm. Bryan has more.

As far as pressure goes, the lower the pressure, the stronger the storm; period. Wind speed, as far as intensity goes, doesn’t mean squat. Lower pressure = stronger storm.

This is an abbreviated entry. For further explanation and to see more coverage like this, check StormTrack - Posted by Jordan Golson