The hurricane season is witnessing another storm, Hurricane Rafael. Strengthened into a Category 3 storm, it has approached the coast of western Cuba. While it will not have much effect on the US, it is yet another storm in the Gulf of Mexico.
Rafael became a hurricane near the Cayman Islands and made landfall on the western coast of Cuba on Wednesday morning. Its maximum sustained winds of 115mph helped it become a Category 3 storm.
After making landfall in western Cuba, Rafael will move through the southern Gulf of Mexico until the weekend, per WFAA. However, its speed will decrease, and it is expected to move slowly until the beginning of the weekend.
According to the National Hurricane Center, while Hurricane Rafael is moving away from Cuba, a hurricane warning will still remain intact. The organization continuously updates the public about the hurricane's movements.
Via X (formerly Twitter), the organization has confirmed that the western coast of Cuba is likely to face heavy rainfall.
"Hurricane Rafael will continue to bring periods of heavy rain to western Cuba into Thursday. Flash flooding and mudslides are possible along the higher terrain."
The lower and middle parts of Florida Keys are also likely to witness tropical-storm-force winds.
Hurricane Rafael's path explored
According to the news outlet, Hurricane Rafael is expected to encounter increasingly bizarre conditions as it moves northward. However, this might result in either of two situations: Rafael might weaken dramatically as it faces wind shear, or the storm will intensify in the southwest direction toward the southern Gulf of Mexico.
If the conditions change and Rafael begins to move toward the US, it is not likely to remain strong. Moreover, the storm might fizzle out before reaching the coast.
In their latest update, the National Hurricane Center mentioned,
"Tropical-storm-force winds are expected in the Dry Tortugas through this morning."
"Rafael is forecast to meander over the south-central Gulf of Mexico this weekend and early next week. Interests in the southern and southwestern Gulf of Mexico should monitor the progress of this system," the warning added.
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If Hurrican Rafael's storm stays farther south in the Gulf of Mexico, it may maintain a stronger intensity. If the same happens, the hurricane can eventually make landfall in Mexico.
People staying in the possibly-affected areas are also expected to follow the guidelines issued by the authorities.
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