The National Hurricane Center is tracking two systems in the Atlantic basin: Hurricane Rafael and a disturbance approaching the Leeward Islands. Hurricane Rafael has intensified to a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph as it nears Cuba,

After blasting across western Cuba as a Cat 3, Rafael emerged into the Gulf of Mexico as a rare November Cat 2.

Louisianans should watch Hurricane Rafael's progress in the Gulf of Mexico, but forecasters with the National Weather Service in New Orleans say the storm doesn't pose a threat to the Bayou State on its current path.