Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to intensify into a hurricane as it moves through the western Caribbean. NWS Meteorologist Christopher Bannon anticipates Rafael will become a Category 1 hurricane before hitting western Cuba…
“by sometime early tomorrow and should reemerge into the Southeastern Gulf of Mexico during Wednesday evening.”
Bannon says Rafael’s exact path remains uncertain as it approaches the Gulf of Mexico midweek, with two potential scenarios. One model predicts a northward track toward the U.S. Gulf Coast, while another suggests a westward turn that could send Rafael toward northeastern Mexico.
“Right now the storm continues to push to the northwest organizing…probably going initially scare a lot of people, but the impact for South Louisiana right now don’t look to be anything significant.”
Despite the path uncertainty, Louisiana is expected to experience some rain starting later this week with a moderate risk of flash flooding in some areas. Bannon says residents along the Gulf Coast are advised to monitor updates as forecasts should become clearer within the next two days.
“A lot of models are showing it weakening rapidly, and then if it takes the further west track, it won’t get close to the close and most likely dissipate over the central Gulf.”
