Article first published: Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, 9 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, 3 p.m. ET

As per the National Hurricane Center’s 3 pm Friday update, the Category 3 hurricane Rafael has weakened into a Category 2 hurricane. Category 2 Hurricane Rafael is 230 miles north of Progreso Mexico and 475 miles east of Mouth of the Rio Grande, with maximum sustained wind of 100 mph. It’s moving at 9 mph to the west.

“… Rafael is likely to meander over the central Gulf of Mexico through early next week.” meteorologists observed. “Steady weakening is expected during the next few days.”

YESTERDAY (Friday):

Yesterday, Rafael reached new heights of intensity and was upgraded from a Category 2 hurricane into a Category 3 hurricane, with winds blowing at 100 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.

Source: National Hurricane Center