Hurricane Rafael has weakened to a Category 2 storm after impacting Cuba. It will slow down while heading west through the Gulf of Mexico, with minimal effects expected on the U.S. Gulf Coast. A separate low-pressure system is also being monitored for potential development over the Leeward Islands, bringing rain to the Caribbean region.
Hurricane Rafael, which made landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 storm on Wednesday afternoon, is anticipated to weaken as it moves through the southern Gulf of Mexico. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, the storm is expected to slow its forward motion while traveling westward. As of Thursday morning, Rafael has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm with sustained winds of 105 mph, traveling northwest at a speed of 9 mph. Residents along the southern and southwestern Gulf are advised to stay vigilant, as swells are predicted to affect a broad area throughout the weekend. While Louisiana and other Gulf Coast states are no longer within the storm’s cone of uncertainty, low-to-moderate coastal flooding is forecasted. Additionally, tropical storm-force winds may impact the Dry Tortugas, Florida region on Thursday morning, coinciding with continued heavy rainfall over western Cuba. The NHC also is monitoring a separate low-pressure system developing over the northern Leeward Islands, which has a 20% chance of strengthening in the coming week. Areas such as Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the southeastern Bahamas can expect to experience heavy rainfall until Saturday, regardless of development.
Hurricanes are intense tropical storms characterized by sustained winds exceeding 74 miles per hour. The formation and trajectory of these storms are influenced by numerous meteorological factors. The National Hurricane Center regularly monitors these phenomena, providing forecasts and warnings to safeguard affected communities. Hurricane Rafael’s recent impact on Cuba and its projected path through the Gulf of Mexico highlight the ongoing need for vigilance during hurricane season, especially for coastal regions susceptible to flooding and storm surges.
In summary, Hurricane Rafael has downgraded to a Category 2 storm as it traverses the Gulf of Mexico. While its direct impact on Gulf Coast states such as Louisiana appears minimal, areas like Florida’s Dry Tortugas are likely to face tropical storm-force winds. Furthermore, another low-pressure system is being monitored for potential development, underscoring the importance of following updates from the National Hurricane Center during this active hurricane season.
Original Source: www.nola.com
