The 17th named storm of the season developed in the western Caribbean Friday evening, becoming Rafael with winds sustained at 40 mph.
Rafael will continue to churn through the western Caribbean and affect the US and British Virgin Islands today.
The main threats will be gusty winds, soaking downpours and rough seas.
Some of the hardest hit spots will see anywhere from 2-4 inches of rain, with localized locations up to 10 inches possible.
This sort of rain will be capable of causing mudslides, rockslides and flash flooding.
As Rafael heads through the Virgin Islands and dances with the western-half of Puerto Rico, he will head north toward Bermuda by the early to middle part of next week.
Downpours and locally severe thunderstorms over the Central states will not only foil holiday weekend activities, but will also put some lives at risk.
A few days after a chilly storm departs the Northeast, warm weather will make a strong comeback in parts of the Midwest and the East later next week.
The storm responsible for the wind, cold, rain and snow in the Northeast Friday and Saturday will slowly ease up for the balance of the holiday weekend.
Another plunge of chilly air will set the stage for the risk of a frost and freeze centered Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and other nearby states this weekend.
"This pup was literally singing when he saw his family," Michelle Karolicki, relocation program manager of the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, said about a reunion that took place on Thursday.
During Sunday's race, the skies will be variably cloudy with the risk of a few showers.
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | N/A | |
| Low | N/A | |
| Precip | N/A |
Iowa City, IA (1859)
Waterspout; 8 killed, one child was taken up,
carried 500 yards and thrown in a slough
but survived.
Chicago, IL (1992)
32 degrees, latest 32 or lower on record.
Wesley, LA (1991)
Heavy rain (25th-26th) resulted in widespread
flooding. One hundred-sixty homes -- 80% of the
total number of houses in town -- received
structural or water damage. A total of 6.5" of
rain fell in 2-1/2 hours.
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