**Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: An Analysis and Review from the Mid-South
Perspective**

**Jonathan L. Howell**

**National Weather Service Forecast Office**

**Memphis, Tennessee**

**Jason F. Beaman**

**National Weather Service Forecast Office**

**Raleigh, North Carolina**

**March 10, 2007**

**1. INTRODUCTION**

The 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season has been classified as the most
active tropical period in recorded history. A record setting
twenty-seven tropical systems developed across the Atlantic basin, with
three tropical storms and six hurricanes making landfall along the
southeastern and southern United States coastlines (NHC, 2005). Two
hurricanes in particular, Katrina and Rita, struck the Gulf coast with
tremendous fury. These storms caused in excess of one-thousand two
hundred casualties and extensive loss to property from coastal sections
of east Texas to the Alabama coastline (Knabb et. al., 2005). After
wreaking havoc to Gulf coast communities, the remnants of these
hurricanes moved inland bringing inclement weather across the Memphis
County Warning Area (CWA). Impacts to our area included strong winds,
flooding rains, and severe weather. These impacts resulted in life
threatening weather conditions and property damage throughout the
region.

In an effort to document this historic season and its affects on the
Mid-South, a detailed meteorological and sociological review will be
offered. This review will investigate the unique synoptic and mesoscale
pattern differences observed with both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as
they moved over our area. Information regarding local damage to property
and impacts to our local communities will also be provided. By
documenting these extraordinary events, we hope to provide additional
guidance for forecasting inland impacts from significant tropical
systems that move over the Memphis CWA in the future.

**2. REGIONAL IMPACTS FROM HURRICANE KATRINA**

Hurricane Katrina was the first tropical system of the 2005 season to
affect the area. Katrina first developed as a tropical depression to the
east of the Bahamas on 23 August 2005, where warm sea surface
temperatures, low surface pressures, and minimal environmental shear
supported development (Landsea et al., 1998). Katrina quickly developed
into a hurricane over the next two days as it moved west then eventually
southwest across the Bahamas. Hurricane Katrina made its first landfall
along the southeast coast of Florida on the evening of 25 August 2005,
as a strong Category 1 hurricane. The hurricane caused substantial
property damage and resulted in eight casualties across south Florida.
By 1200 UTC, 27 August 2005, Katrina had moved southwest into the Gulf
of Mexico and was located 290 km (180 mi) west of Key West, Florida.

Hurricane Katrina began a rapid intensification process while crossing
the southeast Gulf of Mexico on 27 August 2005. This rapid
intensification process was noted as the storm moved over the Gulf Loop
Current (Black and Shay, 1998) (Shay et. al., 2000), where warm deep
layer oceanic temperatures existed, and as the hurricane became
favorably positioned under an elongated 591 decameter middle and upper
level ridge. This ridge was centered over the Rio Grande Valley of Texas
and extended several hundred miles east across the southeastern United
States. Positioning of the hurricane to the south of the middle and
upper level ridge axis provided a favorable low shear environment
conducive for rapid intensification. In addition, the deep layer
easterly wind flow along the southern periphery of the ridge continued
to steer Katrina westward (Chan and Gray, 1982). This westward movement
continued through the afternoon of 27 August 2005, and Hurricane Katrina
strengthened to a major hurricane.

On 28 August 2005, the synoptic pattern began to change but not before
allowing Hurricane Katrina to become an intense and extremely dangerous
Category 5 hurricane. The strong middle and upper level ridge axis that
was centered over the southern United States and responsible for
Katrina's westward movement, shifted east to a position off of the
southeast United States coastline. An upper level shortwave trough that
was positioned in the southern Canadian provinces on 27 August 2005,
moved southeast into the Central Plains by 1200 UTC, 28 August 2005
(Fig. 1). This shortwave trough assisted in breaking down the western
periphery of the upper ridge. With height falls experienced across the
lower Mississippi valley and the deep layer steering flow becoming
increasingly southerly across the north-central Gulf of Mexico, the
hurricane began to turn northwest and eventually north-northwest by the
evening of 28 August 2005 (Fig. 2) (Chan and Gray, 1982). At this time,
Hurricane Katrina was bearing down on the central Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Katrina made landfall early on the morning of 29 August 2005
along the southeast Louisiana coast. Wind shear induced by the
approaching Central Plains trough, dry air entrainment, and internal
structural changes helped to weaken Katrina before making landfall (NHC,
2005). Although weakened, Hurricane Katrina still struck the coast as a
strong Category 3 hurricane. As it came ashore, it produced sustained
winds of 55 m s^-1^ (110 kts) along with catastrophic storm surge across
the eastern Louisiana, Mississippi, and western Alabama coastlines. The
storm surge was recorded at 8.5+ meters (28.0+ feet) along the
Mississippi coast, which surpassed the 7.5 meter (24.6 feet) storm surge
recorded with Hurricane Camille that struck Pass Christian, Mississippi,
in 1969 (Simpson and Sugg, 1969). Near record storm surges of 3.5 meters
(11.5 feet) were also recorded in Mobile Bay, Alabama. This resulted in
unimaginable damage to impacted areas, especially along the Mississippi
coastline.

After Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the storm continued to move
inland across Mississippi with increasing forward motion. The storm was
drawn quickly north by increasing south-southwesterly flow aloft in
advance of the shortwave trough that swept across the Mississippi Valley
(Fig. 3). Hurricane force wind gusts continued well inland into
north-central Mississippi during the late morning of 29 August 2005.
Weather impacts from the storm began to overspread the Memphis CWA by
early afternoon.

**3. LOCAL METEOROLOGICAL IMPACTS FROM KATRINA ACROSS THE MEMPHIS COUNTY
WARNING AREA**

The first outer rain bands in advance of the approaching storm developed
across northeast Arkansas and west Tennessee around 1400 UTC (Fig. 4).
These rain bands delivered one inch per hour rainfall rates and brief
gusty winds as they raced northwestward across the remainder of the
northwest portions of the area through 1800 UTC. These bands of heavy
rain and gusty winds preceded the more concentrated rain bands closer to
the center of Hurricane Katrina.

The center of Katrina moved to a position 32 km (20 mi) west-southwest
of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, by 1900 UTC (Fig. 5). Katrina remained a
strong Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 40 m s^-1^ (80 kts),
which lashed south-central Mississippi and resulted in significant tree
and structural damage across these areas (NWS Jackson, MS, 2005). Also
by this time, rain bands had spread well to the north of Katrina's
center and began impacting portions of north Mississippi with heavy
rains and wind gusts up to 13 m s^-1^ (25 kts) (Fig. 6). These more
concentrated rain bands continued to spiral northwestward across the
remainder of north Mississippi, with increasing winds and additional
heavy rains through 2100 UTC as the hurricane continued to move north.
Katrina was finally downgraded to a tropical storm by 0000 UTC, 30
August 2005, as the system passed 48 km (30 mi) northwest of Meridian,
Mississippi (Fig. 7). Maximum sustained winds still remained at 28 m
s^-1^ (55 kts) with higher gusts as the pressure gradient remained
tight. This tight pressure gradient pattern persisted as Katrina moved
across the Mid-South. This was the primary synoptic weather factor
responsible for the strong winds that occurred across portions of the
area.

As the inner rain bands moved through the Mid-South during the late
evening and overnight hours, they brought tropical storm force wind
gusts and heavy tropical rainfall (Fig. 8). The tropical storm force
wind gusts impacted areas primarily along and east of the Mississippi
river and were collocated beneath the strongest rain bands. It was in
these areas where precipitation loaded downdrafts transported stronger
winds aloft to the surface (Knaff and Weaver, 2000) (Franklin et al.,
2003) (Powell, 1990). This resulted in the tropical storm force wind
gusts that were observed. Areas west of the Mississippi river, including
northeast Arkansas and the Missouri Bootheel, remained on the western
fringe of the hurricanes rain shield. The lack of intense rain bands
over these areas prevented the mixing down of stronger winds aloft and
winds remained below tropical storm strength.

The most significant weather associated with Katrina spread from south
to north across portions of the Mid-South between 2200 UTC, 29 August
2005, and 1400 UTC, 30 August 2005. North Mississippi was the first area
to experience significant effects from Katrina's inner rain bands.
Tropical storm force wind gusts began to buffet the area around 2200 UTC
and continued through 0600 UTC (NWS Memphis, TN, 2005). During this
period, official recorded wind gusts between 18 -- 25 m s^-1^ (35-50
kts) were common, with unofficial wind gust reports in excess of 25 m
s^-1^ (50 kts) (Fig. 9). The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS)
located at Tupelo, Mississippi, reported 7 consecutive hours of maximum
wind gusts above 20 m s^-1^ (39 kts). Wind gusts remained at tropical
storm force until 0600 UTC, when downgraded tropical storm Katrina
passed to the west of the site. These tropical storm wind gusts were a
direct result of rapidly falling surface pressures and an increased low
level pressure gradient in advance of Katrina. At 0000 UTC, 30 August
2005, a 991 mb surface pressure was recorded at the Tupelo, Mississippi
ASOS site while Katrina was still centered to the south. Surface
pressures fell 11 mb over the next 7 hours to a reading of 980 mb at
0700 UTC. This was the lowest pressure recorded at Tupelo through the
duration of this event. Beyond 0700 UTC, pressures once again rose and
winds began to weaken.

Tropical storm force wind gusts and heavy rains spread into West
Tennessee around 0300 UTC and continued through 0900 UTC (NWS Memphis,
TN, 2005). Winds at the Memphis, Tennessee ASOS gusted to 24 m s^-1^ (47
kts) around 0700 UTC with a recorded minimum surface pressure of 989 mb
as the center of Katrina passed to the east. The maximum wind gust
recorded at the ASOS in Jackson, Tennessee was 20 m s^-1^ (38 kts)
around 0600 UTC. The lowest surface pressure of 987 mb occurred at
Jackson as the center of Katrina passed near the site at 1000 UTC (Fig.
9). By 1500 UTC, Katrina had exited the Memphis county warning area and
was downgraded to a tropical depression 40 km (25 mi) south of
Clarksville, Tennessee. Winds and rain continued to taper off as
tropical depression Katrina moved further to the northeast and away from
the Mid-South.

Rainfall totals that accumulated across the area were significant but
not extreme. The heavy rainfall resulted in numerous areas of minor
flash flooding and river flooding. Rainfall totals averaged between 3
and 6 inches with isolated higher amounts (Fig. 10). Average rainfall
totals of 5 to 12 inches are common with Gulf coast hurricanes, although
amounts often vary with size and speed of the tropical system (Pfost,
2003). Katrina was a large tropical storm and was moving at a fast
forward speed of 10 m s^-1^ (20 kts) as it traversed across the
Mid-South. This may have contributed to the lower than average rainfall
totals. In addition, when applying a tropical precipitation estimate
technique developed by Raymond Kraft in the 1960's known as the "Kraft
Rule of Thumb", we calculate an estimate of 5 inches when utilizing 10 m
s^-1^ (20 kts) of forward motion (Pfost, 2003). This matches well with
rainfall totals received across the area.

The greatest rainfall amounts recorded with Katrina occurred over
northeast Mississippi. Iuka, Mississippi recorded a storm total rainfall
amount of 7.12 inches. In addition, television meteorologists at WTVA in
Tupelo, Mississippi, measured a storm total rainfall amount of 6.11
inches. Western portions of the Mid-South, including northeast Arkansas
and the Missouri Bootheel, experienced less total rainfall. Storm total
rainfall amounts over these areas ranged from 1 to 4 inches, with the
greatest totals in locations closest to the Mississippi River. Rainfall
totals of 1.65 inches at Helena, Arkansas; 1.99 inches at Jonesboro,
Arkansas; and 3.90 inches at Paragould, Arkansas; respectively, were
recorded. Most of this rainfall fell in association with outer
convective bands on the northwest periphery of Katrina. Although no
major flooding resulted from rainfall associated with Katrina, minor
flooding of secondary highways and smaller river basins was common.
These flood conditions resulted in inconveniences but not significant
flooding problems. No flood related injuries or fatalities occurred in
the Memphis CWA.

Another aspect that is common with land-falling and inland tropical
cyclones is severe convective weather and tropical cyclone induced
tornadoes. Katrina spared the Mid-South from severe convective weather
and tornadoes as the center of the tropical system tracked across the
eastern portions of the Memphis CWA. This kept the region on the western
side of the system, which is the least favored area for hurricane
induced tornadoes (McCaul, 1991). No reports of tornadoes were received
across the Memphis CWA as all of the severe convective weather remained
to the east.

**4. KATRINA RELATED DAMAGE ACROSS THE MEMPHIS COUNTY WARNING AREA**

Damage associated with Katrina across the Mid-South was both significant
and widespread. This damage was a direct result of the strong gradient
winds and heavy rainfall. Reports of structural damage, vehicle damage,
downed trees and power lines, and minor flood damage occurred (NWS
Memphis, TN, 2005) (Fig. 11). Most of the structural and vehicle damage
resulted from fallen trees. These fallen trees along with power
transformers punctured holes through roofs and walls of structures (Fig.
12). Strong winds also ripped shingles from roofs, tore away porch
awnings, blew down satellite television dishes, and broke windows out of
structures. In addition, several trees, power lines, and transformers
were blown down across area roadways (Fig. 13). The damage to the power
grid across the Mid-South caused widespread power outages that continued
in some areas, especially across north Mississippi, for several days
after the storm moved away. During the height of the strongest winds,
over 100,000 residences were without power at one time. Damage from
flash flooding was also experienced. Water flowed across several area
highways resulting in road closures. Flood waters and wind also resulted
in a section of wall collapsing at the Garnertown Super Speedway in
Henderson County, Tennessee. Overall, the wind and flood damage was
significant area wide, but luckily no reports of injuries or fatalities
were received.

**5. REGIONAL IMPACTS FROM HURRICANE RITA**

Hurricane Rita was the second tropical cyclone to affect the Mid-South
during the 2005 Hurricane Season. Rita first developed as Tropical
Depression Eighteen, 153 km (95 mi) east of the Turks and Caicos
Islands, on 17 September 2005. Rita gradually gained strength as it
moved toward the west and approached the Florida Keys. Rita was
classified as a hurricane during the morning of 20 September 2005, 120
km (75 mi) south of Key West. Rita continued westward into the Gulf of
Mexico under the steering influence of a large upper level ridge
positioned over the southern United States. While traversing the warm
waters of the Gulf of Mexico and under a low shear environment, Rita
explosively deepened into a Category 5 hurricane. The central pressure
bottomed out at 897 mb during the morning of 22 September 2005. This
made Rita the third strongest Atlantic hurricane on record, based on
pressure.

By the evening of 23 September 2005, a 500 mb trough began to amplify
over western portions of the United States (Fig. 14). This resulted in
the erosion of the western portion of the southern ridge. Hurricane Rita
responded by turning northwesterly under the increasing southerly flow.
Rita made landfall near the Texas and Louisiana border in the early
morning hours of 24 September 2005 as a Category 3 hurricane (Fig. 15).
Extensive damage occurred along the upper Texas and western Louisiana
coastlines. Most of the significant damage was the result of a 3 to 4.5
meter (10-15 ft.) storm surge that occurred along the southwest
Louisiana coastline (NWS Lake Charles, LA, 2005). After landfall, Rita
was caught up in increasing southwesterly flow as the 500 mb trough
progressed eastward. Rita steadily weakened while moving inland and was
downgraded to a tropical depression as it traversed east-northeast
across the Mid-South. Weather impacts from Rita began to affect western
portions of the Memphis CWA during the late night hours of 24 September
2005, and persisted across the eastern portion of the CWA through late
afternoon on 25 September 2005.

**6. LOCAL METEOROLOGICAL IMPACTS FROM RITA ACROSS THE MEMPHIS COUNTY
WARNING AREA**

The rain shield associated with Rita began to enter eastern Arkansas and
northwest Tennessee around 0300 UTC, 25 September 2005, as the center of
Tropical Depression Rita was located 65 km (40 mi) north of Shreveport,
LA. Rain continued to overspread the Memphis CWA through the remainder
of the night (Fig. 16). By 1200 UTC, with the center of the tropical
depression located 80 km (50 mi) west of Little Rock, AR, rain became
widespread over the Mid-South. After 1200 UTC, dry air began to wrap
into the circulation of Rita which caused a sharp cutoff in the rain
shield. Most of the rain had ended across eastern Arkansas and the
Missouri Bootheel by 1500 UTC. The depression continued its motion to
the northeast at 5 m s^-1^ (10 kts) and was located 80 km (50 mi) west
of Jonesboro, AR, at 1800 UTC. The rain exited the eastern edge of the
Memphis CWA by 2300 UTC. Tropical storm force wind gusts and very heavy
rain were common across a large portion of the Mid-South throughout the
course of the storm.

Unlike Hurricane Katrina, Rita did not exhibit a large pressure gradient
when it moved across the Memphis CWA. Rita had spent in excess of 12
hours over land, with a forward movement of around 5 m s^-1^ (10 kts).
In comparison, Katrina had a forward speed of near 10 m s^-1^ (20 kts)
when it traversed across the Mid-South. Despite the weakened state of
Rita and the lack of a tight pressure gradient, tropical storm force
wind gusts were still reported over a large area. These winds resulted
from convective rain bands with relatively high reflectivity cores. The
KNQA and KGWX WSR-88D radars both measured several reflectivity cores of
40-45 dbz at approximately 4,570 meters (15,000 ft.) with isolated 50
dbz reflectivities noted (Fig 17). These precipitation loaded cores
transported higher winds aloft to the surface (Knaff and Weaver, 2000).
The VAD Wind profile from KNQA measured winds of 25 m s^-1^ (50 kts) or
greater down to 914 meters (3,000 ft.) (Fig. 18). These winds were
persistent through the entire storm event. At 1309 UTC, the ASOS at
Memphis International Airport recorded a peak wind gust of 20 m s^-1^
(38 kts). The ASOS at Tupelo Regional Airport recorded a peak gust of 25
m s^-1^ (48 kts) at 1725 UTC.

Aside from the tremendous damage along the Texas and Louisiana
coastlines, Rita will also be remembered as a prolific tornado producer.
Eighty-seven tornadoes were confirmed across the ARKLAMISS, central and
southeast Arkansas, and western Alabama (Personal Communications; NWS
Jackson, MS; NWS Little Rock, AR; NWS Birmingham, AL; 2005). Fortunately
for the Mid-South, no tornadoes were confirmed despite the movement of
several mesocyclones across northeast Mississippi between 1600 UTC and
2000 UTC on 25 September 2005. Rita's azimuth heading as it approached
the Mid-South was between 020 and 030 degrees, veering to 045 to 060
degrees by 1800 UTC 25 September 2005. Prior research indicates that the
average heading for tornado producing decaying cyclones is 024 degrees
(Hill et. al., 1966).

As previously stated, several mesocyclones developed and moved over
northeast Mississippi during the late morning and early afternoon hours
of 25 September 2005 (Fig. 19). Rotational velocities measured by the
KGWX WSR-88D averaged between 10 -- 20 m s^-1^ (20-30 kts) at a distance
between 16 and 80 km (10 and 50 mi.). All of these mesocyclones are
considered to be weak based on the Mesocyclone Recognition Criteria
graph. Much stronger circulations were detected just to the south and
east of the Memphis CWA. Numerous moderate to strong mesocyclones were
noted across east central Mississippi and west central Alabama.

The environmental differences were not large between northeast
Mississippi and locations just to the south and east where the tornado
producing mesoscylcones occurred. 0-1 km helicity values were large
across the entire area (Fig. 20). At 1600 UTC 25 September 2005, when
the mesocyclones were strengthening, 0-1 km helicity values were in
excess of 400 m2/s2 based on the RUC40 initialization. By 2000 UTC, with
the mesocyclone activity continuing, 0-1 km values had weakened but were
still between 300-350 m2/s2.

The largest difference in environments was noted in the observed surface
instability. Visible satellite imagery showed cloudy skies over all of
northeast Mississippi, with some small breaks just to the south and east
of the area (Fig. 21). Previous research indicates that the mean CAPE
value for tornadic activity in tropical cyclones two days after landfall
was 258 J/kg (McCaul 1991.) An analysis of the RUC40 initialization
shows that CAPE values across northeast Mississippi were less than 200
J/kg at 1500 UTC, 200-300 J/kg at 1800 UTC, and around 250 J/kg at 2000
UTC. Much higher CAPE values, on the order of 100-200 J/kg higher, were
observed just to the south and east of the Memphis CWA and coincide with
the stronger mesocyclone activity.

**7. RITA RELATED DAMAGE ACROSS THE MEMPHIS COUNTY WARNING AREA**

Minor to moderate damage was produced by Rita across the Mid-South. The
stronger convective cells and mesocyclones produced sporadic wind damage
with downed trees and power lines reported in east Arkansas, north
Mississippi, and west Tennessee. Most of the downed trees and power
lines occurred in north Mississippi. Scattered cases of minor road
flooding were also reported across west Tennessee and north Mississippi,
where three to six inches of rain fell (Fig 22). Overall, the damage was
mostly an inconvenience to the public. No reports of injuries or
fatalities were received. Total damages are estimated to be near
\$100,000.

**8. 2005 MID-SOUTH TROPICAL IMPACTS OVERVIEW**

The 2005 hurricane season brought significant tropical weather impacts
to the southern United States and the Mid-South. Two of the most
significant hurricanes of the season, Katrina and Rita, proved to be
powerful storms that impacted areas well inland from the coast with
strong winds, heavy rains, and severe weather. These storms left a
distinct mark on our region and will be remembered for their far
reaching impacts.

Hurricane Katrina was one of the most destructive and deadly hurricanes
to impact the United States since tropical records began. The
destructive nature of the storm and the fatality rate exceeds that of
the 1926 "Miami" Hurricane and the 1935 "Florida Keys" Hurricane (Pfost,
2003). This storm not only created extreme damage from its storm surge
flooding to the Gulf Coast but disrupted the lives of millions living in
affected regions. The economic losses were also tremendous immediately
following the hurricane and continue even today with employment,
industrial, and manufacturing losses. The impacts from Katrina will not
be forgotten anytime soon.

Impacts and damage costs from Katrina in our local area were also
significant. Although not nearly as socially and economically
devastating as along the Gulf Coast, damage from Katrina proved costly.
Preliminary wind and flood damage estimates totaled greater than \$670
thousand dollars. In addition, the winds and flooding endangered the
safety of the local population.

Hurricane Rita was the strongest hurricane to strike southeast Texas and
southwest Louisiana since Hurricane Audrey in June, 1957 (NWS Lake
Charles, LA, 2005). Rita produced extensive damage to these coastal
areas. Rita also will be remembered as a prolific inland tornado
producer as it moved in a favorable north to northeast heading.
Fortunately for the Memphis CWA, tornadic activity did not occur and
only minor wind damage and flooding was produced. Tornadoes, however,
did occur just south of the Memphis CWA where the synoptic and
thermodynamic environment was highly favorable for tornado production.

The impacts from Katrina and Rita remind us that significant tropical
weather can affect forecast areas well inland from the coast. It is
important to emphasize the necessity of real time data analysis during
inland tropical events to diagnose potential wind, flood, and severe
weather threats. It is also useful to review impacts from past tropical
events to anticipate possible tropical weather threats in the future.
Hopefully, this review will serve as another guide to forecasters when
attempting to forecast inland impacts from strong tropical systems.

**9. REFERENCES**

Black, P. G. and L. K. Shay, 1998: Air-sea interaction processes
relevant to tropical cyclone intensity change. In Preprints Volume,
Symposium on Tropical Cyclone Intensity Change, 78^th^ AMS Annual
Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, 11-16 January.

Chan, J. C. L. and W. M. Gray, 1982: Tropical cyclone movement and
surrounding flow relationships. *Mon. Wea. Rev.*, 110, 1354-1374.

Franklin, J. L., M. L. Black, and K. Valde, 2003: GPS dropwindsonde wind
profiles in hurricanes and their operational implications. *Wea.
Forecasting*, 18, 32-44.

Hill, E. L., W. Malkin, and W. A. Schulz, Jr., 1966: Tornadoes
associated with cyclones of tropical origin -- practical features. *J.
Appl. Meteor.*, 5, 745-763.

Knabb, R. D., J. R. Rhome, and D. P. Brown, 2005: Tropical cyclone
report -- Hurricane Katrina. National Hurricane Center. \[Available
online at Web site:

<http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL122005_Katrina.pdf>\]

Knabb, R. D., J. R. Rhome, and D. P. Brown, 2005: Tropical cyclone
report -- Hurricane Rita. National Hurricane Center. \[Available online
at Web site:

<http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL182005_Rita.pdf>

Knaff, J. A., J. F. Weaver, 2000: A mesoscale low-level thunderstorm
outflow boundary associated with Hurricane Luis. *Mon. Wea. Rev.*, 128,
3352-3355.

Landsea, C. W., G. D. Bell, W. M. Gray, S. B. Goldenberg, 1998: The
extremely active 1995 Atlantic hurricane season: Environmental
conditions and verification of seasonal forecasts. *Mon. Wea. Rev.*,
126, 1174-1193.

McCaul, E. W., 1991: Buoyancy and shear characteristics of
hurricane-tornado environments. *Mon. Wea. Rev.*, 119-8, 1954-1978.

National Hurricane Center (NHC), 2005: 2005 Atlantic hurricane season.
\[Available online at Web site:
<http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2005atlan.shtml>\]

National Weather Service -- Memphis, TN, 2005: 2005 Hurricane Katrina
effects on the Mid-South. \[Available online at Web site:
<http://www.srh.noaa.gov/meg/katrina.htm>\]

National Weather Service -- Jackson, MS, 2005: A look at Hurricane
Katrina. \[Available online at Web site:
<http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jan/katrina/>\]

National Weather Service -- Lake Charles, LA, 2005: A look at Hurricane
Katrina. \[Available online at Web site:
<http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/rita/rita_main.php>\]

Pfost, R. L., 2003: Reassessing the impact of two historical Florida
hurricanes. *Bul. of Amer. Meteor. Soc.*, 84-10, 1367-1372.

\_\_\_\_\_, 2001: Tropical cyclone quantitative precipitation
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13-19 January.

Powell, M. D., 1990: Boundary layer structure and dynamics in outer
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*Mon. Wea. Rev.*, 118, 891-917.

Shay, L. K., G. J. Goni, and P. G. Black, 2000: Effects of a warm
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![](media/image1.wmf){width="6.372916666666667in"
height="4.781944444444444in"}

Figure 1. Synoptic Analysis from 1200 UTC, 28 August 2005. Hurricane
Katrina began to move northwestward in response to approaching mid
latitude trough.

![](media/image2.wmf){width="6.372916666666667in"
height="4.781944444444444in"}

Figure 2. Synoptic Analysis from 0000 UTC, 29 August 2005. Hurricane
Katrina was moving north towards the southeast Louisiana coastline as it
became embedded within deep layer southerly flow in advance of the mid
latitude trough over the Plains states.

![](media/image3.wmf){width="6.372916666666667in"
height="4.781944444444444in"}

Figure 3. Synoptic Analysis from 1200 UTC, 29 August 2005. Hurricane
Katrina making landfall along the Louisiana coastline.

![](media/image4.png){width="5.989583333333333in"
height="5.381944444444445in"}

Figure 4. 0.5 Degree Base Reflectivity from KNQA at 1402 UTC. The outer
bands associated with Hurricane Katrina were moving across the Memphis
County Warning Area with heavy rains and gusty winds.

![](media/image5.png){width="5.997916666666667in"
height="5.4118055555555555in"}

Figure 5. Visible Satellite Image at 1855 UTC, 29 August 2005. Hurricane
Katrina was located 32 kilometers west-southwest of Hattiesburg,
Mississippi and maintained Category 1 hurricane intensity.

![](media/image6.png){width="5.989583333333333in" height="5.39375in"}

Figure 6. 0.5 Degree Base Reflectivity from KNQA at 1859 UTC. Inner rain
bands associated with Hurricane Katrina were entering into southern
portions of the Memphis County Warning Area. These rain bands were
producing intense rainfall rates and strong gusty winds.

![](media/image7.wmf){width="6.293055555555555in" height="4.71875in"}

Figure 7. Infrared Satellite Loop from 2200 UTC, 29 August 2005, to 1400
UTC, 30 August 2005, showing Katrina's path across the Mid-South.

![](media/image8.png){width="6.5in" height="4.875in"}

Figure 8. 0.5 Degree Base Reflectivity Loop from KNQA between 1400 UTC,
29 August 2005, and 0700 UTC, 30 August 2005. This radar loop depicts
the location and movement of Katrina's most intense inner core rain
bands which produced tropical storm force winds and heavy rainfall.

![](media/image9.wmf){width="6.372916666666667in"
height="4.781944444444444in"}

Figure 9. Loop of Surface Observations observed between 1400 UTC, 29
August 2005, and 1500 UTC, 30 August 2005, at ASOS/AWOS observation
sites across the Memphis County Warning Area and surrounding offices.
Observation sites across eastern portions of the area recorded tropical
storm force wind gusts and strong pressure falls as the center of
Katrina moved overhead.

![](media/image10.png){width="6.125in" height="5.841666666666667in"}

Figure 10. Katrina Rainfall Totals recorded across the Memphis County
Warning Area. Rainfall totals between three and six inches, with
isolated higher amounts, were recorded.

![](media/image11.jpeg){width="6.25in" height="5.279166666666667in"}

Figure 11. Newspaper Image showing damage to church steeple at the First
United Methodist Church in Saltillo, Mississippi.

![](media/image12.jpeg){width="6.5in" height="5.645833333333333in"}

Figure 12. Newpaper Image showing tree damage to a home in northeast
Mississippi. Similar damage was observed across many areas east of the
Mississippi River in the Memphis County Warning Area.

![](media/image13.jpeg){width="6.458333333333333in"
height="4.719444444444444in"}

Figure 13. Newspaper Image showing downed trees and power lines which
resulted in widespread power outages in many locations east of the
Mississippi River in the Memphis County Warning Area.

![](media/image14.jpeg){width="6.240277777777778in"
height="4.680555555555555in"}

Figure 14. Synoptic Analysis from 0000 UTC, 24 Sep 2005. Hurricane Rita
preparing to make landfall along the Louisiana and Texas border.

![](media/image15.jpeg){width="6.240277777777778in"
height="4.680555555555555in"}

Figure 15. Synoptic Analysis from 1200 UTC, 24 Sep 2005. Hurricane Rita
making landfall along the Louisiana and Texas border.

![](media/image16.png){width="6.240277777777778in" height="4.68125in"}

Figure 16. 0.5 Degree Base Reflectivity Loop from KNQA between 0300 UTC,
25 September 2005, and 2356 UTC, 25 September 2005. This radar loop
depicts the location and movement of Rita's most intense outer rain
bands which produced tropical storm force winds and heavy rainfall.

![](media/image17.png){width="5.996527777777778in"
height="5.377777777777778in"}

Figure 17. 0.5 Degree Base Reflectivity Image from KNQA at 1334 UTC, 25
September 2005. This imagery shows the elevated reflectivity cores
within band of convection over northwest Mississippi. Wind gusts in
excess of tropical storm force were associated with these elevated
reflectivity cores.

![](media/image18.png){width="6.240277777777778in"
height="4.260416666666667in"}

Figure 18. KNQA VAD Wind Profile from 1358 UTC, 25 September 2005. Winds
in excess of 25 m/s were present as low as 914 meters (3,000 ft).

![](media/image19.png){width="6.302777777777778in"
height="4.743055555555555in"}

Figure 19. 0.5 degree SRM Velocity Loop from KNQA between 1844 UTC, 25
September 2005 and 1917 UTC, 25 September 2005.

![](media/image20.png){width="6.240277777777778in"
height="4.680555555555555in"}

Figure 20. RUC40 Initialized 0-1 km Helicity Images from 1600 UTC, 1800
UTC, and 2000 UTC on 25 September 2005.

![](media/image21.png){width="6.239583333333333in"
height="5.602083333333334in"}

Figure 21. Visible Satellite Loop with the RUC40 Initialization of
SBCAPE from 1400 UTC, 25 September 2005 to 2000 UTC, 25 September 2005.
The larger values of SBCAPE were located just to the south of the NWS
Memphis County Warning Area.

![](media/image22.jpeg){width="6.240277777777778in"
height="7.847222222222222in"}

Figure 22. Newspaper Image showing flooding in Northeast Mississippi
from Rita's rains.