Hurricane Rafael and that other place in the Atlantic

Hurricane Rafael's center was near latitude 24.7 degrees north and longitude 86.2 west. Rafael is moving west-northwest at about 14 km/h. A turn to the west is expected this evening, with forward speed continuing throughout the weekend. According to the forecast, Rafael is expected to move over the southern Gulf of Mexico in the next few days.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to nearly 105 mph with stronger gusts. Some small fluctuations in intensity are possible.

The weakening is expected to begin on Friday and continue through the weekend.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 968 mb.

What about the other place?

Near the Leeward Islands, a low pressure system continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Gradual development of this system is possible over the next few days as it moves westward near the Greater Antilles. Regardless of developments, locally heavy rainfall is possible in the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and the southeastern Bahamas through Saturday.

The chance of occurrence over 48 hours remains at 20 percent and the chance of occurrence over 7 days has fallen to 20 percent.