Tropical Storm Rafael expected to strengthen on way to Gulf

We are closely monitoring a late season tropical storm, Rafael, in the Caribbean. Rafael is expected to become a hurricane tonight or Wednesday as it moves over Cuba. Rafael is then expected to track into the eastern Gulf of Mexico Thursday and Friday. Rafael will most likely weaken, slow down and stay east of the Houston area. In fact, latest National Hurricane Center track has Rafael making landfall by lunchtime Sunday as a tropical storm around the eastern Louisiana Gulf coast. Another disturbance in the SW Atlantic has a LOW 30% chance for tropical development as it moves towards the N. Leeward Islands. Hurricane season runs all the way through November 30.