Earlier this morning, aircraft reconnaissance and doppler radar indicated that Rita had strenghtened into a hurricane. Satellite presentation has improved over the past few hours with good banding of the clouds and outflow to the west of the system has been expanding.

Radar from the Keys shows Rita's eye about 100 miles southeast of Marathon and Key West. Winds were gusting to 60mph at last check, and they will only increase through the day.

A Tornado watch is also in effect for all of Florida south of Lake Okeechobee until 500PM. As the thunderstorms associated with Rita move onshore, the friction and rotation of the cloud mass develops a favorable setup for at least weak F0 tornadoes in the outlined area.

For us, the weather should remain relatively tranquil with a few showers developing north and west of the region associated with a weak cold front well west of the area. Expect about a 30% chance of showers/thunderstorms today in the metro area, and a 50 or 60% chance west in the Shennandoah Valley area/western Maryland.