000 WTNT43 KNHC 092057 TCDAT3 Tropical Storm Rafael Discussion Number 26 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL182024 300 PM CST Sat Nov 09 2024 The center of Rafael has become exposed to the southwest of its associated convective mass in visible satellite images. The low-level circulation is becoming broader and less defined, and the cold overcast from the sheared convection has contracted and warmed this afternoon. Overall, the storm appears less organized as it contends with westerly shear and a dry mid-level environment. A partial ASCAT pass showed 35-40 kt winds in the northeast quadrant, but may not have sampled the area of strongest winds. The initial intensity is held at 45 kt, which is consistent with a blend of the latest subjective and objective satellite intensity estimates. The storm should continue weakening tonight due to the negative effects of increasing westerly shear and continued intrusions of dry mid-level air. In fact, the latest simulated satellite imagery from the GFS and ECMWF models suggest Rafael could become devoid of convection as early as Sunday. The official NHC forecast now shows post-tropical/remnant low status at 36 h, but further timing adjustments could be necessary if current trends continue. Rafael is beginning to slow down (300/4 kt), and the storm is likely to meander within weakening steering currents over the central Gulf of Mexico tonight and Sunday. Then, the shallow vortex should become steered by the prevailing low-level flow on Monday and move toward the south and south-southwest through the middle of next week. Most of the guidance shows the remnant low spinning down and opening into a trough over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico late in the 5-day forecast period, and the NHC forecast shows dissipation by 120 h. Rafael poses no direct threat to land, but swells from the storm are still contributing to an elevated rip current risk along the northern and western Gulf Coast. Also, the interaction of distant moisture from Rafael with a slow-moving front will cause heavy rainfall and potentially significant flash flooding across portions of Southwest and Central Louisiana through Sunday morning. Key Messages: 1. Swells generated by Rafael are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the Gulf Coast through the weekend. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 09/2100Z 25.5N 91.7W 45 KT 50 MPH 12H 10/0600Z 25.7N 91.9W 40 KT 45 MPH 24H 10/1800Z 26.0N 91.8W 35 KT 40 MPH 36H 11/0600Z 25.7N 91.4W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 48H 11/1800Z 24.6N 91.7W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 60H 12/0600Z 23.3N 92.2W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 72H 12/1800Z 22.2N 93.2W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 96H 13/1800Z 21.0N 95.0W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 120H 14/1800Z...DISSIPATED $$ Forecaster Reinhart