Continuing to monitor Hurricane Rafael in the Gulf of Mexico | FOX 26 Tropical Weather Update

Hurricane Rafael has pushed into the SE Gulf of Mexico and is expected to drift WNW. As it encounters more hostile winds and drier air, it will gradually weaken back to a tropical storm by Saturday night. It should stay south of Houston over water and meander in the south-central gulf as it weakens through early next week. Models now have Rafael dropping SW into the Bay of Campeche as it falls apart Monday and Tuesday. An increased rip currents risk and elevated tide levels are possible along the coast this weekend. But no major impacts are anticipated. Trough of low pressure around the N. Leeward Islands is producing disorganized showers and storms. It is being given a LOW 20% chance for tropical development over the next 7 days as it moves towards the Bahamas. If this develops it would be named Sara.