Hurricane Rita now Category 4

7:45 a.m. ET 9/21/2005
Kevin Roth, Sr. Meteorologist, The Weather Channel


Hurricane Rita continues to grow stronger over the Gulf of Mexico. Top winds are estimated to be 135 mph, a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale.

An unofficial reading from Key West clocked a wind gust from Hurricane Rita at 102 mph but overall the strongest part of Rita was closer to the coast of Cuba as the storm passed through the Florida Straits.

Rain bands will continue to affect the Florida Keys and South Florida this morning but overall conditions should improve today as the hurricane continues to pull away. Tropical Storm warnings continue for parts of the Lower Keys west of Marquesas Keys.

Rita is forecast to continue on a westward track into the Gulf of Mexico and may grow even stronger. It has already reached Category 4 status. Later in the week, Rita is expected to shift to a more northwesterly course. Residents along the Texas Gulf Coast should be prepared for a significant hurricane on Friday night or Saturday.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic Basin, Philippe has weakened to a tropical storm with sustained winds of 65 mph. is centered about 325 miles ENE of the Leeward Islands. Philippe is forecast to hold its own for a while as it continues to swirl in a general northerly direction. Such a track would keep it well east of the Leewards and also east of Bermuda.

In the central and eastern Pacific, Hurricane Jova (115 mph), Tropical Storm Kenneth (60 mph) and Tropical Storm Max (70 mph) are all swirling (or forecast to swirl) toward the northwest. None of these storms pose a threat to any land at this time.

Os futuros do Gás Natural estão já acima dos $13 em novo máximo, a subir cerca de 4,79%.

Quanto ao crude, regista igualmente uma forte valorização de 2,64% para os $67,95.

Os futuros do crude e gás natural iniciaram a sessão em forte alta para depois irem aliviando dos máximos intradiários. Ainda assim, fecharam a níveis elevados com receio de que o furacão "Rita" venha a afectar a região de Houston onde se encontram as maiores refinarias dos EUA .

Entretanto o furacão "Rita" foi reclassificado como de grau 5, o mais elevado da escala:


Hurricane Rita now category 5

4:00 p.m. ET 9/21/2005
Kevin Roth, Sr. Meteorologist, The Weather Channel

Hurricane Rita's rapid intensification cycle that began Tuesday afternoon continues. Top winds are up to 165 mph, now a category 5 hurricane. Further strengthening is possible as the atmosphere remains favorable for development over the next 24 hours.

Rita is forecast to continue on a westward track through the Gulf of Mexico over the next 24 hours. A gradual turn toward the northwest is anticipated Thursday night and Friday. Landfall is possible late Friday or early Saturday along the Texas coast.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic Basin, Philippe has weakened to a tropical storm with sustained winds of 50 mph. It is centered about 370 miles NE of the Leeward Islands. Philippe is being sheared by westerly winds and that should keep the system on a weakening cycle as it plods off to the north away from any land.

In the central and eastern Pacific, Hurricane Jova (115 mph), Tropical Storm Kenneth (60 mph) and Tropical Storm Max (65 mph) are all swirling toward the northwest. None of these storms pose a threat to any land at this time.