LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA: It's rare to see a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico in November, however, Hurricane Rafael has its sights set on the Bayou State.  We have all the details.

photovs
photovs
loading...

Earlier this week, we reported that there were two different disturbances in the Caribbean that threatened the Gulf of Mexico.  One of those disturbances has now turned into a tropical storm and is forecast to become a hurricane later this week.

Currently Tropical Storm Rafael is traveling NW at 14 mph with sustained winds of 60 mph and is forecast by the National Hurricane Center to become a hurricane sometime later tonight.

National Hurricane Center / NOAA
National Hurricane Center / NOAA
loading...

You can see the difference here when models couldn't get a lock on the storm versus when the storm formed a center of circulation that the weather models could get a more accurate projected path.

Meteorologist Zack Fradella Facebook
Used with permission from Meteorologist Zack Fradella Facebook
loading...

It originally looked like Mississippi or Alabama were in the crosshairs of the storm, but now they are in the clear and Louisiana is now looking at a storm heading our way.  How things can change in just a few days.

Gulf weather expert Meteorologist Zack Fradella is reporting that Rafael will experience wind shear and dry air when it approaches the Louisiana coast causing the storm to weaken.

Used with permission from Meteorologist Zack Fradella Facebook
Used with permission from Meteorologist Zack Fradella Facebook
loading...

The National Hurricane Center is forecasting that Rafael will be a tropical storm when it makes impact with Louisiana this Sunday.

Stay tune to 92.9 FM on your radio dial, our website, and our free mobile app for all the latest news on TS Rafael.

Essential Items for Your Hurricane Kit