Hurricane Rafael churns in the Gulf of Mexico, no threat to Florida: NHC

Hurricane Rafael lingers in Gulf of Mexico

Rafael is currently a Category 2 hurricane with some fluctuations in intensity possible on Friday, the National Hurricane Center said. A steady weakening trend is forecast by the evening and should continue through the weekend.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Hurricane Rafael continues to weaken in the Gulf of Mexico and while the cyclone will not directly strike the U.S., it will bring life-threatening conditions to the Gulf Coast.

The National Hurricane Center warned that Rafael could bring life-threatening rip currents and surf to the Gulf Coast through the weekend.

Cuba and parts of the western Caribbean, however, have been the hardest hit by the storm, which brought damaging hurricane-force winds, flooding rain and a life-threatening storm surge.

A weather station in the Casablanca area of Havana reported a wind gust of 93 mph around the time Rafael made landfall Wednesday afternoon. Due to the storm's impacts, Cuba was plunged into darkness.

Hurricane Rafael is the first major hurricane to stir the waters of the Gulf of Mexico in November since Hurricane Kate in 1985.

Is Hurricane Rafael headed for Florida?

No, Hurricane Rafael is not expected to impact Florida directly. It's predicted to remain more than 350 miles west of Florida’s Gulf coast, avoiding a landfall or direct hit.

Forecasters are keeping an eye on the slight possibility that Rafael's remnants could be drawn northeastward next week, potentially affecting the area, though this projection remains uncertain.

However, Central Florida will still feel some effects from the hurricane, as its outer bands bring torrential downpours and gusty winds to the area. The FOX 35 Storm Team also warns there is a possibility of a brief tornado.

Elsewhere in the tropics

In addition to Rafael, there are two tropical waves in the Atlantic basin.

Disorganized showers and thunderstorms continue in association with a trough of low pressure that extends from near Hispaniola northeastward over the southwestern Atlantic. Development, if any, of this system should be slow to occur during the next couple of days while it moves westward to west-northwestward near the Greater Antilles, Turks and Caicos Islands, the southeastern Bahamas, and eastern Cuba.

Another area of concern is emerging in the Caribbean, with the potential for tropical development by mid- to late next week.

As the hurricane season persists, there is the possibility of additional hurricanes or tropical systems that could arise through the end of November, including the potential development of another system within the Caribbean between November 13-17, followed by the possibility of yet another system forming around the Thanksgiving period, also in the Caribbean region.