Some meteorologist now indicating that Rita is a category 5 hurricane.

See this excerpt from this dailykos diary [by darksyde;Wed Sep 21st, 2005]

Oil Storm Rita {update now category 5}


"UPDATE 1:45 EDT: The latest RECON reports confirm RITA is now a CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY 5 Hurricane. Center Pressure is down to 920mb, and MAX Sustained winds of 142KTs at Flight level -- implying 155mph surface winds. with gusts to 175mph. LANDFALL SAT 7 AM

Blogs which are tracking; The Oil Drum, Jeff Masters at The Weather Underground, National Weather Center, IPS MeteoStar.

Latest E-mail 12:45 EDT:

Satellite estimates now indicate RITA may in fact have reached CAT 5 Intensity -- although this cannot be confirmed until the Aircraft completes a full sampling of the winds around the entire storm. The Thermal Eye wall temperature gradient is now up to 10°C - indicate of a strong CAT 4 / borderline CAT 5 hurricane. The 25NM Wide eye is currently located near 24.1N/ 85.80W or 700NM SE of Galveston, TX - and is moving west at 10Kts - slightly slower than 12 hours ago. [NOAA 10 AM EDT storm track]"

-snip-

Also see another dailykos diary on this dangerous hurricane by WeatherInsite {Steve Gregory};Wed Sep 21st, 2005}:

Hurricane Rita Now Category 5