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

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

As per the National Hurricane Center’s 3 pm Thursday update, 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, there were a lot of changes. Rafael began as a Category 2 hurricane, a Category 3 hurricane and a hurricane and ultimately became 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