Saturday, Nov 9 update from the National Hurricane Center: Latest on Tropical Storm Rafael

Article first published: Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, 4 a.m. ET

On Saturday at 4 am, the National Hurricane Center issued an advisory stating that Tropical Storm Rafael is 265 miles north-northwest of Progreso Mexico and 405 miles east of Mouth of the Rio Grande, with maximum sustained wind of 65 mph. It’s moving at 6 mph to the west-northwest.

"... Rafael is likely to move slowly south-southwestward toward the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through early next week." forecasters explained. "Steady weakening is expected during the next few days."

YESTERDAY (Friday):

Yesterday, Rafael strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane then devolved into a tropical storm with sustained winds of 65 mph.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

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

RAINFALL: Heavy rainfall indirectly associated with the moisture from Rafael is expected to cause 3 to 6 inches of rain, with local amounts to 10 inches, across portions of the Piney Woods and Golden Triangle of Southeast Texas as well as Southwest and Central Louisiana through Sunday morning. This rain will lead to potentially significant flash flooding.

Source: National Hurricane Center

This story was originally published November 8, 2024 at 9:49 AM.