Rafael re-strengthened overnight to a major Category 3 hurricane over the central Gulf of Mexico, becoming the farthest west a Category 3 or stronger hurricane has been observed during the month of November.
The unusually strong late-season hurricane is only the 8th major hurricane to form anywhere in the Atlantic basin during the month of November in the satellite era since 1966 and only the 2nd major November hurricane ever recorded in the Gulf of Mexico.
A major hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico is typically bad news for the head of hurricane alley - with no safe escape route for hurricanes inside the land-bordered body of water - but Rafael will get stuck between steering currents and meander aimlessly over the open Gulf, weakening early next week before posing any significant threat to land.
Though Rafael isn't expected to directly threaten land as a hurricane, the coastline from Texas to the Florida panhandle will feel its influence from large swells reaching the Gulf Coast this weekend into early next week. Dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents are expected along area beaches, with some minor coastal flooding in low-lying areas.
Record-breaking heat in these areas for the second week of November may entice many to take to the beach this weekend for relief, but the hazardous and much cooler waters will make Gulf Coast beaches most enjoyable out of the water.
