Today’s best weather news: Rafael strengthens as blizzard conditions cripple the Southwest

Welcome to the daily weather update from FOX Weather. It’s Friday, November 8, 2024. Start your day with everything you need to know about today’s weather. You can also get a quick overview of national, regional and local weather when you want to join FOX Weather Update podcast.

Hurricane Rafael is strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico after knocking out the power to millions in Cuba

Strong hurricane Raphael has strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico after hitting Cuba as a major hurricane on Wednesday and continues to creep slowly westward.

Rafael is currently a Category 3 hurricane with some fluctuations in intensity possible on Friday, the National Hurricane Center said. In the evening, a steady weakening trend is expected, which is expected to continue through the weekend.

Rafael’s latest weather forecast cone and lane.

(FOX Weather)

More than 100 homes were destroyed during explosive wildfires in Southern California

Firefighters are beginning to contain an explosive wildfire that has now destroyed more than 100 homes in Southern California.

Strong Santa Ana winds near Los Angeles are fueling some of the most significant wildfire threats in years across the region. The relentless 50-70 mph wind gusts have created a perfect storm of conditions that have led to rapid fire spread and widespread evacuations.

Blizzard warning issued as potentially historic winter storm hits New Mexico, Colorado

A potential historic winter the storm is dumping snow on New Mexico and Colorado.

The FOX Forecast Center reports that the storm will hit the mountains of New Mexico with extremes snow not seen in November for years.

It is expected to be impossible travel conditions along Interstate 25 and Interstate 40 in New Mexico heading into Saturday.

Looped video of snowfall in Trinidad, Colorado, Thursday night.

(Brandon Copic/FOX Weather)

Clock: Rafael’s whipping winds topple stadium floodlights in Cuba

Hurricane Rafael hit Cuba on Wednesday as a powerful one Category 3 stormand new images are emerging that give a glimpse of the damage it caused as it swept across the island nation on a path into the Gulf Mexico.

ONE video recorded in the town of Artemisa, southwest of Havana, shows Raphaelis merciless win whipping through one baseball stadium as hurricane barrel across the region.

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