Hurricane Rafael Becomes Fifth Major Hurricane of 2024 Atlantic Season with 115 mph Winds

Nov 6, 2024, 06:02 PM

Hurricane Rafael has intensified into a major Category 3 hurricane, making it the fifth major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season. With maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and a core pressure of 956 mbar, Rafael is expected to make landfall in Artemisa Province, Cuba today. This marks a rare November occurrence, as Rafael becomes the first major hurricane in this month since Iota in 2020. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is now tied with 2020 for the most major hurricane formations between September 26 and November 6, with four such hurricanes forming in this period. This is the seventh season in the satellite era to have five or more major hurricanes by November 6.