Hurricane Rafael weakens after Cuba and shifts west toward Mexico
Meteorologists are monitoring Hurricane Rafael, which has weakened to a Category 2 storm after hitting Cuba. The storm is now moving into the Gulf of Mexico and is unlikely to make landfall in the US. Rafael is expected to be pushed westward toward Mexico by high pressure, with minimal impacts anticipated for the lower Florida Keys. Residents should remain alert for potential coastal flooding and storm surge. Another storm system northeast of the Leeward Islands may develop, but its chances of becoming a hurricane are low. Heavy rains could still affect parts of the Caribbean over the weekend.