Hurricane Rafael has weakened to a tropical storm with 70 mph winds and a slow west-northwest movement. A turn toward Mexico is expected late this weekend, with no significant U.S. impacts anticipated except for possible rip currents. Additionally, the NHC is assessing an area of thunderstorms near the Leeward Islands, although development chances are currently low at 10%.
Hurricane Rafael has swiftly downgraded to a high-end tropical storm, exhibiting sustained winds of 70 mph and a west-northwestward movement at a reduced speed of 5 mph. The trajectory is projected to maintain a similar forecast, with a notable turn towards Mexico anticipated by the weekend. Presently, there are no expected impacts on the United States, aside from potential rip currents along coastal areas. The storm’s current position is approximately 240 miles north of Progreso, Mexico, with a central pressure of 989 mb. Furthermore, the National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring a separate area of thunderstorms near the Leeward Islands, currently assessed with a low development probability of only 10%. Future updates will provide critical insight into potential changes in this area as well.
Tropical storms and hurricanes are natural weather phenomena characterized by strong winds and heavy rainfall. The classification of these storms is determined by their sustained wind speeds, with tropical storms exhibiting winds ranging from 39 to 73 mph. Monitoring such events is crucial as they can affect coastal areas with heavy rains and dangerous surf. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) plays a vital role in tracking tropical storms and hurricanes, providing timely alerts and forecasts to mitigate risks to public safety.
In summary, Hurricane Rafael has rapidly weakened into a tropical storm, with sustained winds declining to 70 mph and an anticipated shift towards Mexico. As the storm continues to evolve, no significant threats to the U.S. are currently expected, apart from possible rip currents. Ongoing monitoring by the National Hurricane Center remains essential for assessing developments, particularly concerning the area of thunderstorms near the Leeward Islands.
Original Source: www.alabamawx.com
