Rita could spawn MANY tornadoes (worse than Katrina)

[berni_mccoy]

The conditions are setting up for even a worse than worst-case scenario. A mass of cold air is moving down from the north being pushed by a high-pressure system.

In 24 Hours it will look like this:


In 48 Hours it will look like this:


I'm no meteorologist, but I know that when hot, most air from the gulf collides with dry cold air from the north, you get prime conditions for twisters (and a reason why the tornado belt is where it is).

Has anyone heard any coverage of the tornadoes that could result from this?

[Mutley]

1. Find new pictures or give the source for the ones you posted.

they are not showing.

[berni_mccoy]

3. Sorry about that... fixed.

[Mutley]

4. Excellent, thanks!

And scary!

[berni_mccoy]

5. Very Scary...

I think this is going to be MUCH worse than anyone expects...

[Mutley]

6. I hope not. I know people in Galveston.

[txindy]

10. They need to get out of Galveston

The worst-case scenario has Galveston completely underwater. http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou050920_gj_upclosecat5.79456dce.html

Tell them to get on up here to Central Texas. We'll still flood, but not the entire region. This storm is unreal!

[Mutley]

12. Oh no!

:cry:

I haven't spoken with them in a few years since they moved down there, but I emailed them the other day and haven't heard back. I do hope they are okay, they are such a great family!

[txindy]

17. I'm sure they're fine right now, as long as they heed the evacuation order

Galveston isn't built to withstand severe hurricanes. The good news is, they've learned that lesson in that city.

This might help you learn more about what's happening right now in Galveston: http://www.khou.com/news/local/galveston/stories/khou050921_cd_galveston.7bbe6770.html

[Mutley]

22. Thank you.

That was rather helpful. I still haven't heard from them, and I'm hoping that means they've evacuated and don't have access to the internet right now.

[Mr_Spock]

2. Well, I hope a couple of those "fingers of God" crush a few places

You know those who deserve the personal "touch", don't you :D

[sal]

13. I live in LaVaca County and can't leave

I wish those who think this is funny would just shut the f-ck up, please.

[SammyWinstonJack]

14. I'm in Bexar County and I don't find this funny in the least bit.

I don't know how much it will affect this county but we do flood and tornadoes are a possibility.

[berni_mccoy]

15. I know you didn't respond to the original post

And hope you don't think I find anything about this funny. I am very worried about how this storm is developing... I just hope all levels of the gov't, especially the feds, are prepared.

Are you unable to evacuate because of transportation issues? If the gov't was able to transport you, could you leave? The Houston area needs to have mandatory evacuation.

[Mr_Spock]

16. I was talking about Bush and Delay

It's not something we think is funny - and the tornado's can hit pretty far from the hurricane path so we are speculating anyway.

[txindy]

18. Well, I knew who you meant.

If that means anything. :hi:

[mandyky]

7. Good point!

And the remnants will reach into Oklahoma and Kansas! Oy!

[LeftyMom]

8. My best friend just moved to OK last week

I'll call her right now and make sure she's prepared. :scared:

[berni_mccoy]

9. Rita is now Cat 5

That's the equivalent of an F3 tornado.

Katrina spawned 36 confirmed tornados ranging from F0 to F2 and there was no cold air mass from the north. ( see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina#Tornadoes )

I would expect if Rita hits that cold air mass from the north there could be over 100 tornadoes ranging from F0 to F3!

[karlrschneider]

11. We're unseasonably hot & humid here in Oklahoma (97 deg right now)

and I'm anticipating some nasty interaction between what's left of Rita and that (not so cold) front early next week. As if we don't have enough tornados in the springtime...
:eyes:

[Ariana Celeste]

19. Not to sound ignorant, but...

I am when it comes to meteorology. What are the green spots? In the second picture there is green over Indiana, Illinois, etc.

[berni_mccoy]

20. green = moisture on those maps.

[Ariana Celeste]

21. Thanks!

:hi: