Rafael has weakened to a tropical storm and was expected to dissolve over the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days after barreling across Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane.

The biggest impacts from Rafael's storm bands may affect offshore oil and gas production. Several companies evacuated workers from rigs as Rafael remains near oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Once Rafael takes a more southerly path, Northern Mexico may also begin experiencing higher wave heights and high surf along the beaches.

With weeks left in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Tropical Storm Rafael spins in the Gulf of Mexico, and a new disturbance near the Bahama is being tracked for potential development.