Rita's bump to category 5 is probably due to the influence of a warm-water current in the Gulf called The Loop Current. As she passes west of its influence she'll be moving into slightly cooler water and probably drop back to a category 4 or strong category 3. But don't expect her to drop any lower than that.

We've already had one minor miracle this season when Dennis's maximum winds dropped from 145 mph to 120 mph in a matter of minutes just before landfall here in my own home county. Don't expect to see that happen again.