Hurricane Rina Becomes Category 2, Florida Keys Now in Cone

Quickly developing Hurricane Rina has now achieved Category 2-strength winds less than a day after becoming a hurricane, and there's no sign she's about to slow down. Forecasters now expect the storm to make a hard right turn, with the Florida Keys in its possible path...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

October 25, 2011

Help us weather the uncertain future

We know — the economic times are hard. We believe that our work of reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now is more important than ever.

We need to raise $6,000 to meet our goal by August 10. If you’re able to make a contribution of any amount, your dollars will make an immediate difference in helping ensure the future of local journalism in Miami. Thanks for reading Miami New Times.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$6,000

$3,500

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "22004575",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "22595215",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17482312",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "23181625",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17720761",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Quickly developing Hurricane Rina has now achieved Category 2-strength winds less than a day after becoming a hurricane, and there's no sign she's about to slow down. Forecasters now expect the storm to make a hard right turn, with the Florida Keys in its possible path.

Rina is currently churning off the coast of Honduras and will likely affect Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects the storm to make a hard right turn. The direct predicted path would put the storm over northwest Cuba early Sunday morning, but the Florida Keys are now within the danger zone.

South Florida, for now, is outside the cone but could quickly find itself within Rina's predicted path if the storm's turn is less dramatic than predicted.

Weather Underground's map has Rina weakening by the weekend, however, and the system might be downgraded to a tropical storm as it nears Cuba.

Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.

Kyle Munzenrieder

A message from News Editor Natasha Yee: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of essential stories and to investigate issues that matter.

Support Today