Here's a link to a Rita wind field graphic, that I found really informative previously as Katrina came ashore.

http://www.boatus.com/hurricanes/hurricane_field2.asp

And for those of you interested in Sea Surface Temperatures (SST) there is a better model for tropical cyclone (hurricane) intensity based upon Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential (TCHP).  As most know, a hurricane is powered by transferring heat from the ocean surface to the upper atmosphere.

From the article http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/phod/cyclone/data/pubs/EOS_FINAL.pdf

The thickness of the upper ocean layer from
the sea surface to the depth of the 26°C
isotherm is only a few tens of meters in most of
the tropical regions.A passing tropical cyclone
draws energy from these warm waters and
mixes them with the cooler waters below.
This creates upwelling; the depth of the base
of the mixed layer is raised,and the temperature
of the surface waters is subsequently lowered.
These cooler waters now provide less energy
to the tropical cyclones, most likely slowing
the rate of intensification.On the other hand,
the depth of the 26°C isotherm in the core of
warm currents (such as the Loop Current in
the Gulf of Mexico) and warm anticyclonic
rings may reach more than a hundred meters.
This type of condition has values of thermal
energy that are usually several times larger
than those associated with the genesis and
sustainability of a tropical cyclone, and it is
found in most regions where tropical cyclones
occur.
Understanding the role of these warm
features in the intensification of hurricanes
in the tropical North Atlantic is an ongoing
research topic that is still at an early stage.
Preliminary results have shown their importance
in the sudden intensification of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico [Shay et al., 2000].
For example, in September 1995,Hurricane
Opal suddenly intensified when passing over
a warm ring that had gone undetected by the
sea surface temperature derived from the
Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
(AVHRR) imagery. In August 1999,Hurricane
Bret also traveled over two warm features in
the Gulf of Mexico, and it intensified each
time. Since then, the monitoring of the upper
ocean thermal structure has become a key
element in understanding and predicting
sudden tropical cyclone intensification.

TCHP is measured in heat energy per sea water surface area (kilo Joules per square centimeter).  A passing hurricane will subtract heat measuring 60-100 kJ/cm2, so THCP values above 80 kJ/cm2 are especially dangerous.  You will remember that Katrina rapidly intensified from a Category 2 to a Category 5 hurricane, and that occured just as it passed over an area of high TCHP (80+ kJ/cm2) in the Gulf of Mexico.

Here is the link to the dynamically updated graphic of TCHP for the Gulf of Mexico: http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/phod/cyclone/data/go.html

Click on the thumbnail for a larger image.  There is also a historical link on this page for the TCHP data and track for Katrina.

This is very interesting. It appears from the 26°C Isotherm graphic that Rita will pass over high TCHP areas tomorrow and gain intensity. I think that NHC is thinking Rita could become a Category 3 on Wednesday.

We are in limbo now and throughout tomorrow. I call Thursday the "Day of Judgement" -- when the hurricane will begin its jog to the Northwest -- and Friday is the "Day of Reckoning" -- when the hurricane will pass through whatever oil & gas infrastructure it is going to hit -- probably at its maximum intensity. We will know on that day whether the Texas refineries are going to be heavily damaged.

All indications look like most of Louisiana, including New Orleans, will be spared the worst. Thank God.
Right, it looks like Rita will pass over a pool of high TCHP sea water about 2 PM Wednesday.  NOAA forecasts an increase of surface winds to 115 knots (132 MPH) in that time frame.  With regard to global warming, I would like to see Gulf of Mexico total TCHP statistics archived so that as years pass we can see if total TCHP is increasing as global warming might predict.  This would explain the increase in tropical cyclone intensity that has been the subject of recent academic articles (http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/nation/12655398.htm).

Likewise GOM rig operators can see if their rigs are sitting near persistent pools of high TCHP sea water - they should be eventually be raised up to withstand higher expected storm waves.

Wednesday 2 PM, Rita upgraded to a strong category 4 - just as it passes over an area of high TCHP.  Rita presents very rapid intensification, further confirming TCHP theory.