Hurricane Rafael Weakens While Moving Through Gulf of Mexico After Cuba Impact
Hurricane Rafael has weakened to a Category 2 storm and is slowing down in the southern Gulf of Mexico after impacting Cuba. Louisiana and other Gulf states are largely safe from severe effects, but light coastal flooding may occur. A separate low-pressure system near the Leeward Islands is being monitored for potential development, with heavy rains expected in the region.
Hurricane Rafael, which made landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 storm on Wednesday afternoon, has begun to weaken and is now classified as a Category 2 storm with sustained winds of 105 mph. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami has reported that Rafael is projected to slow its forward movement to the northwest at approximately 9 mph while continuing westward through the southern Gulf of Mexico in the coming days. The state of Louisiana and other Gulf Coast regions have been removed from the storm’s cone of uncertainty, indicating minimal expected impacts, aside from potentially low-to-moderate coastal flooding. Residents of the Dry Tortugas in Florida should prepare for tropical storm-force winds, expected on Thursday morning, as heavy rainfall persists over western Cuba. The NHC has advised those located near the southern and southwestern Gulf to remain vigilant as swells resulting from Rafael are likely to propagate throughout the region by late this week and into the weekend. In conjunction with Hurricane Rafael, the NHC is also monitoring a low-pressure system over the northern Leeward Islands. This system, currently generating disorganized showers and thunderstorms, has a 20% chance of development as it advances westward near the Greater Antilles within the next two days. Regardless of further development, areas including the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the southeastern Bahamas are forecasted to receive considerable rainfall through Saturday.
Hurricane season typically occurs from June 1 to November 30 in the Atlantic Ocean. The National Hurricane Center closely monitors weather systems that exhibit tropical characteristics during this period. Hurricanes can significantly impact coastal and inland regions through high winds, heavy precipitation, flooding, and erosion. Thus, it is crucial for residents in hurricane-prone areas to pay attention to weather forecasts and advisories issued by authoritative meteorological organizations.
In summary, Hurricane Rafael has weakened to a Category 2 storm as it traverses the southern Gulf of Mexico, with minimal expected impacts on the Gulf Coast states, particularly Louisiana. Concurrently, a separate low-pressure system is being tracked, which may bring heavy rainfall to various Caribbean locations. Residents are advised to heed weather updates to remain informed about potential developments related to both systems.
Original Source: www.nola.com
