Article first published: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, 6 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, 3 p.m. ET

The National Hurricane Center’s 3 pm Thursday advisory reported that Category 2 Hurricane Rafael is 260 miles west-northwest of Havana Cuba and 325 miles northeast of Progreso Mexico, with maximum sustained wind of 105 mph. It’s moving at 9 mph to the west-northwest.

“… Rafael is expected to move over the southern Gulf of Mexico for the next few days.” according to forecasters. “Weakening is forecast to begin on Friday and continue through the weekend.”

YESTERDAY (Thursday):

Yesterday, several developments occured. First, Rafael changed into a Category 2 hurricane, a Category 3 hurricane and a hurricane and it ended up as a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 105 mph.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

SURF: Swells generated by Rafael are expected to spread across most of the Gulf of Mexico during the next several days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Source: National Hurricane Center