A long-lived and destructive tropical cyclone, Rita began its journey east of the Marshall Islands and rapidly moved westwards, becoming a typhoon on October 20.

Rita continued rapid intensification and attained super typhoon status and later an atmospheric pressure of 878 mbar (25.9 inHg) on October 25.

[1] At 6:22 A.M., local time, on October 24, a reconnaissance aircraft reported a minimum pressure reading of 888 mbar (26.2 inHg) and maximum surface winds of 130 knots (150 mph).

Rita's central pressure fell to a minimum of 878 mbar (25.9 inHg)[nb 1] when it was about 650 mi (1,050 km) east of Manila at noon on October 25.

Satellite pictures received later in the afternoon revealed a distinct eye and good cirrus outflow associated with the circulation of Rita.

Baler, located on the east coast of Luzon, reported gusts of 50 knots (58 mph) when the storm passed just to the south of it.

[1] Rita entered the South China Sea on October 27 and gradually accelerated in speed as it moved west-northwest towards Hainan.

Its circulation remained intense with a large area of strong winds even though it weakened significantly after striking the Philippines.

A fishing boat called the San Jose II went aground on a reef about 400 mi (640 km) southwest of Manila during the evening of October 27.

3, was hoisted at 4:30 PM although Rita was still situated 390 mi (630 km) south-southwest of Hong Kong and was moving west-northwest at 8 knots (9.2 mph) towards Hainan.

[1] Due to the influx of cold and dry air because the winter monsoon, the typhoon weakened rapidly and moved slowly southwestwards away from Hong Kong.

The monsoon still caused gale-forced winds over the South China Sea even though Rita had moved away from Hong Kong and weakened into a weak tropical storm.

Widespread power outages in Manila and Southern Luzon were reported when Rita passed 36 miles (58 km) north of the city, cutting off satellite communications links.

[11] U.S. Navy planes and helicopters saved 40 crewmen from a wrecked Moroccan ship that sunk in the South China Sea.