Rafael will continue to weaken as it tracks westward through the Gulf. This is partially due to increasing wind shear and more overall hostile environmental conditions. The wind shear is in association with a cold front moving across Texas. This front will help to deflect the storm from us.

Article last updated: Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, 4 p.m. ET

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Rafael remains disorganized in the Gulf of Mexico and should continue to weaken, but forecasters are also keeping their eyes on a tropical disturbance that popped up in the Atlantic Ocean.

Hurricane Rafael was downgraded to a tropical storm as it continued westward in the Gulf of Mexico posing no threat to land for now while the National Hurricane Center kept track of another system with low odds to develop into the next tropical depression or storm.

A new tropical wave has emerged just east of the Bahamas, as Tropical Storm Rafael continues moving through the Gulf, the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Rafael has downgraded to a tropical storm and is expected to weaken further in the Gulf of Mexico over the next couple of days, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.