Rafael will continue to weaken as it tracks westward through the Gulf. This is partially due to increasing wind shear and more overall hostile environmental conditions. The wind shear is in association with a cold front moving across Texas. This front will help to deflect the storm from us.

A new tropical wave has emerged just east of the Bahamas, as Tropical Storm Rafael continues moving through the Gulf, the National Hurricane Center said.

Rafael was a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico Saturday evening Eastern time, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory. The tropical storm had sustained wind speeds of 45 miles per hour. Follow our coverage here.