Arab Weather - The latest satellite images and remote sensing data indicate that a tropical cyclone named Rafael, classified as a Category 2 hurricane, is located southwest of Cuba, with maximum wind speeds around the center of the hurricane estimated at about 160 km/h, with a large discrepancy in the computer modeling indicators for the expected direction of this hurricane.
Experts at the Arab Weather Center indicated that Hurricane Rafael is expected to affect Cuba in the coming hours as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing strong winds and very heavy rainfall with risks of torrential floods and torrential rains.
The hurricane continues to move northwest and west, with computer simulation models of the likely path of the hurricane once it enters the Gulf of Mexico varying greatly, but several US states are within the likely path of the hurricane, especially Louisiana and Texas. The same models indicate that the hurricane is expected to weaken significantly before approaching the US coast as a result of dry winds blowing on it and entering an area of cold water.
Hurricane Rafael has affected oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico, as US oil and gas companies have halted production at some offshore platforms due to the approach of the hurricane. Earth Science Associates indicated that the hurricane's potential path across the Gulf of Mexico could affect production ranging from 3.1 to 4.9 million barrels per day.
And God knows best.
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