Severe storms in Texas, Rafael in the Gulf

Weather remains active for the Rockies, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas as the next system tries to crawl east, and a hurricane continues in the Gulf of Mexico.

Messy and mixed weather continues to impact New Mexico, where they had their first snowfall of the season. Rounds of heavy snow could continue to limit visibility on Friday; please drive safely. Parts of the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle could see some snow falling today. The snowfall could become heavier, mixed with afternoon rain. Drier air will filter in by the evening from southwest to northeast.

North Texas and Central Texas will continue with the severe risk. The pattern is stagnant, with a high-pressure system holding this front from moving eastward significantly. It won't be until late Saturday when the low pressure and front scoot over to eastern Texas through Louisiana, but the front is losing its punch, and severe storms are not expected.

Rafael continues as a hurricane, moving mainly to the west, and its intensity fluctuates. It will continue to have hurricane status through Sunday as it moves west and stays over water. The good news is that Rafael will be battling wind shear and gradually weakening, perhaps before it reaches land if it ever does again. The official track by the National Hurricane Center calls for Rafael to be held back by the same high-pressure system mentioned before (holding the system coming out of the Rockies). Wind shear will increase over the weekend, putting a big dent in Rafael's structure. The track might make you dizzy. Rest assure that the system will be weakening early next week while the system is still in the Gulf.

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