MIAMI — After making its way across Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane last week, Rafael has diminished to a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico.
On Saturday, Rafael was downgraded to a tropical storm and by Sunday, it had completely dissipated into a remnant low, as reported by the National Hurricane Center based in Miami.

As of Sunday, the remnants of the cyclone were situated approximately 345 miles (560 kilometers) north-northwest of Progreso, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds reaching 35 mph (55 kph).
The system was tracking eastward at a speed of 3 mph (6 kph) and was anticipated to drift south towards southern Mexico as its intensity continues to decline by Monday.

Meteorologists have issued warnings that the swells generated by the storm are expected to produce hazardous surf and rip current conditions along certain areas of the northern and western Gulf Coast.
On Wednesday, Rafael made landfall in western Cuba, where its intense winds led to widespread power outages, the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents, and the destruction of numerous homes.
Prior to its impact on Cuba, the hurricane had already affected Jamaica and the Cayman Islands earlier in the week, resulting in power disruptions and triggering mudslides in those regions.