Hurricane Rafael's central pressure has dropped to 965 millibars, making it the lowest-pressure November hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Kate in 1985.
The historic reading shattered a 39-year record for the lowest central pressure in an Atlantic hurricane, surpassing the previous record set by Hurricane Kate almost four decades ago, which recorded a central pressure of 985 millibars.
Low pressure is caused by a combination of heat and moisture from the warm ocean surface and the physics of rising air. Lower pressure is a key indicator of storm strength, as it correlates with powerful winds and significant storm surge potential, which can cause potentially devastating impacts.
The record-breaking low signals the storm's intensity, as it tears through the Gulf of Mexico since making landfall in Cuba as a category 3 storm on Wednesday.
Hurricane Kate was the last November storm of this strength in the Gulf that year, almost four decades ago. It ultimately made landfall in the Florida Panhandle as a Category 2 storm. As with Rafael, Kate was the eleventh storm of the season and first made landfall in Cuba.
Meteorologists warn that Rafael could bring life-threatening conditions, including heavy rain, flooding, and storm surges in affected areas. Coastal cities are bracing for possible impacts.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued an advisory at midnight CST on Friday recommending heightened vigilance and preparedness in communities along the Gulf Coast.
"Swells generated by Rafael are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the Gulf Coast for the next few days," the NHC advisory said.
"Rafael is forecast to move slowly over the central Gulf of Mexico this weekend and early next week. Interests in the southern and southwestern Gulf of Mexico should monitor the progress of this system."
Forecasters are closely monitoring Rafael's path as it churns over the warm waters of the Gulf, fueled by a combination of favorable conditions.
The November storm is the latest in an extended hurricane season, which has already seen unusual activity in the late months with Hurricanes Leslie and Milton, which, along with Kirk, marked the first time on record that there were three simultaneously active hurricanes in the Atlantic basin after September, according to information by the NHC.
Newsweek contacted the NHC outside of working hours via email on Friday for comment.
Rafael is expected to bring hurricane-force winds, flash flooding, and potentially catastrophic conditions to regions in its path, leading to widespread preparations and evacuations.
As reported by Newsweek, the path of Hurricane Rafael has detoured significantly from forecasters' projections, changing course from the Gulf states of Louisiana and Mississippi toward the Texas-Mexico border.
Residents in the Gulf region and the current storm trajectory are advised to prepare for the potential landfall of a major hurricane, even this late in the season and to check the NHC and other forecasts for regular updates.
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