Hurricane Rafael: Tracking and Updates
Storm Takes Turn to the West, Aims to Weaken
Hurricane Rafael, once a potential threat to the U.S. Gulf coast, is forecast to take a turn to the west and continue to weaken over the next several days, the National Hurricane Center said in its Thursday morning update.
Current Status
After passing over Cuba as a Category 3 major hurricane, Rafael weakened to Category 2 with winds of 105 mph. All watches and warnings for land had been cancelled as of 5 a.m. Thursday. The storm will continue moving through the southeastern Gulf as a hurricane for the next few days and will likely encounter shear that weakens it to a tropical storm by Monday, forecasters said.
Impact on South Florida
The storm’s turn to the west will keep it well away from South Florida, where very little direct impacts will be felt. "Gusty winds will continue through mid to late week ahead of and associated with Rafael, resulting in continued hazardous marine and beach conditions," National Weather Service forecasters said in a Wednesday afternoon release.
Rainfall and Flooding
Peripheral moisture from Rafael will result in higher rain chances through Wednesday and into the overnight hours, primarily for southwest Florida. Forecasters don’t expect significant rainfall totals but said to expect periodic showers continuing into Thursday. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out, they said.
Cuba’s Devastation
Cuba was left reeling after Rafael ripped across the island and knocked out the country’s power grid. The magnitude of the impact remained unclear through the early hours of Thursday, but forecasters had been warning that Hurricane Rafael could bring "life-threatening" storm surges, winds, and flash floods to Cuba after ravaging parts of the Cayman Islands and Jamaica.
Tropical Outlook
In addition to Rafael, hurricane center officials are monitoring an area of disturbed weather just east of the Caribbean Sea. It could slowly develop later this week as it moves west nearer to the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the southeast Bahamas, forecasters said. As of 5 p.m. Thursday, it had a 20% chance of developing over the next seven days.
Conclusion
Hurricane Rafael’s path has shifted, and it is no longer a threat to the U.S. Gulf coast. Instead, it will continue to weaken and pass through the southeastern Gulf, bringing some rain and wind to southwest Florida. Cuba, however, has been severely impacted by the storm, with widespread power outages and flooding reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current status of Hurricane Rafael?
A: Hurricane Rafael is currently a Category 2 storm with winds of 105 mph, moving northwest at 9 mph.
Q: What is the forecast for South Florida?
A: The storm’s turn to the west will keep it away from South Florida, with little to no direct impact expected.
Q: What is the expected impact on Cuba?
A: Cuba has been severely impacted by the storm, with power outages and flooding reported.
Q: Is there a chance of significant rainfall in South Florida?
A: No, forecasters do not expect significant rainfall totals, but expect periodic showers through Thursday.
