Hurricane Rafael is on its way to the US – check out the expected route!

A rare Hurricane‍ in November is heading toward the US and might strike as soon as this weekend.

Storm Rafael was raised ⁢to a‍ Category 2 hurricane today and could land anywhere from the Texas coast to the Florida Panhandle.

The storm is predicted to‌ hit western Cuba and the Isle ⁢of ‍Youth within‌ the next 12 hours…

Latest ⁤reports say Rafael will impact western Cuba and the Isle of Youth soon, bringing​ heavy rain,⁤ strong‍ winds, and risky storm surges to ⁤that area.

After that, experts believe Rafael‌ will move into the southeastern ⁤Gulf of Mexico tonight as a hurricane.

Tropical storm conditions are expected in Florida Keys, with ⁤warnings ‌issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) for residents.

People in America have been told to secure loose outdoor items due to high winds and flooding risks.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bill Deger mentioned that small​ changes⁤ in Rafael’s strength or ‍wind⁣ direction can greatly affect its future path.

If ⁤it gets ⁣stronger or if winds change direction, its⁢ route could alter.

A spaghetti model – named because lines look like ‌pasta strands – showed four possible paths for Rafael toward the US⁣ but has a higher chance of⁤ hitting Louisiana.

As of‍ 10:00am ET, Rafael ‌was about 130 miles south-southeast of Havana moving northwest at 14 mph with max‌ sustained winds at 110 mph

However, NHC has issued a​ tropical storm warning for Lower and Middle⁣ Florida Keys today ⁢since ‍Rafael could bring up‍ to three inches of rain along with an increased tornado risk while passing through Florida.

‘Bands of rain with gusty winds will affect this ‌area until Wednesday night.‌ A few tornadoes are possible⁢ in Keys‍ &⁣ far southwestern Florida too,’ The Weather Channel reported.

According to NHC, it’s still early to know when or ⁢how much effect Rafael will have on ​Gulf Coast but locals should keep checking forecasts for updates.

At⁤ around 10:00am ET today, Rafael‌ was located roughly⁤ 130 miles south-southeast from Havana moving ⁤northwest at about 14 ‍mph with maximum sustained winds reaching up to 110 mph according NHC.

A​ hurricane warning is active for this region; locals should prepare for ‘damaging hurricane-force winds life-threatening storm surge & destructive waves’ according advisory.

NHC​ also stated that heavy rainfall would ⁢occur over parts​ of Western Caribbean through early Thursday including Jamaica Cayman Islands ⁢&‍ western Cuba.

Once it enters Gulf​ Mexico ,Rafael is⁢ likely going weaken since conditions won’t be good enough for it maintain strength said NHC.

‘It’s also possible strong upper-level‌ winds tear ‌apart ⁤Rafeal ​before making landfall,’ Deger added.

Another ⁢prediction shows Rafeal might track westward across Gulf instead heading north towards US which would lessen impacts on US according AccuWeather.

A hurricane ⁤warning is active for Cuba; locals should prepare for ‘damaging hurricane-force wind life-threatening storm surge & ⁤destructive waves’ 

According The Weather Channel if Rafeal weakens but stays intact turning ⁢towards northern Gulf Coast it may increase⁣ rainfall along cold front this weekend into early next week

Rafael marks the17th named storm during Atlantic hurricane season in2024 .

While not expected directly impact Florida tropical conditions may add strain on local communities still recovering from hurricanes Helene Milton which caused ‌destruction just weeks apart .

These ⁢storms ‌resulted widespread damage⁤ across Sunshine State k!lling an estimated total combined54 people .

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