Powerful Hurricane Rafael Slams into Cuba, Emerges in Gulf of Mexico
Hurricane Rafael made landfall in Cuba as a major Category 2 hurricane, bringing damaging winds, flooding rain, and a potentially deadly storm surge to the region. The storm has now emerged in the Gulf of Mexico, prompting concerns about its next move.
According to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Rafael is about 200 miles west of Key West, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. The storm is expected to weaken as it meanders in the Gulf over the next few days.
What makes Rafael’s trajectory unusual is that it is the first Category 2 storm to enter the Gulf of Mexico in November since Hurricane Ida in 2009. The Fox Forecast Center has noted that Rafael’s path from the Caribbean to the Gulf has been influenced by weakening steering currents, allowing the storm to linger in the central Gulf.
While there is a possibility that Rafael could turn north, the forecast models suggest that the more likely scenario is for the storm to move west towards Texas or Mexico. However, Rafael may encounter hostile atmospheric conditions, including dry air and strong upper-level winds, which could cause it to dissipate.
If Rafael manages to survive into next week, it could pose a threat to the Mexican coast if it moves south enough to avoid the unfavorable conditions. The Fox Forecast Center is closely monitoring the storm’s progress and will provide updates as necessary.
