Fujiwhara effect
At its peak, Rita was a somewhat lopsided system, with deep convection and cirrus clouds extending more to the northwest than any other quadrant. Following the typhoon's peak intensity, the cutoff low previously providing Rita with favorable outflow rapidly weakened. This resulted in a near-total collapse of outflow along the storm's northern side and prompted dramatic weakening. Simultaneously, the cyclone turned more westerly and slowed as an intensifying Typhoon Phyllis to its east began to influence Rita. Convection along the north side of the typhoon contracted significantly, with Rita's eye situated close to the edge of the convective canopy on July 12. In contrast to the weakening on the north side, outflow along the south side of Rita became more pronounced. By July 13, Rita had briefly stalled and began moving to northeast owing to a process known as the Fujiwhara effect. The once Category 5 system had degraded to minimal typhoon status by July 14.