Hurricane Rafael strengthens to powerful Category 3 Hurricane before making landfall in Cuba

Associated Press

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Rafael strengthens to powerful Category 3 Hurricane before making landfall in Cuba.

Latest stories

  • PM says six months of rain fell in five days as floods wreak havoc in Malaysia

    Heavy monsoon rain has displaced over 150,000 in Malaysia and killed dozens across Southeast Asia

  • Floods wreak havoc in Malaysia, southern Thailand with over 30 killed, tens of thousands displaced

    Severe floods caused by monsoon rains killed more than 30 people and displaced tens of thousands in Malaysia and southern Thailand, officials said Tuesday, with both countries preparing shelters and evacuation plans in anticipation of more heavy rain. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said five days of heavier-than-expected rain that battered the country's east coast last week was equal to the rainfall over the past six months, wreaking havoc in the northeastern state of Kelantan and neighboring Terengganu.

  • Malaysians survey the damage after devastating floods

    STORY: :: Northern Malaysia residents return to destroyed homes as severe floods begin receding:: Kelantan, Malaysia:: December 2, 2024:: Muhamad Alim, Resident"On Thursday afternoon, I noticed the weather looked unusual. It rained, but we did not expect the water level to rise at such speed that night. I saw the water rising in front of the house. It had never happened before.""The next morning, around 7 am, they told me that my shop had been affected. I rushed over, but it was too late by the time I got there—the water had already overflowed from the culvert. At that time, the water hadn't reached this area yet; it was still rising. I quickly grabbed what I could, locked the door, and focused on saving myself."Flooded buildings and upturned cars could be seen as residents surveyed the damage and began the clear up.Malaysia faces a second wave of heavy rain and potential flooding this week, authorities said on Monday.Since last week, 27 people have died and more than half a million households in the neighbouring Southeast Asian countries have been hit by torrential rain and flooding that authorities say have been the most severe in years.The immediate situation has improved in some areas and water levels have eased, according to government data on Monday.The number of people in evacuation shelters dropped to around 128,000 people, from 152,000 on Sunday (December 1), according to the disaster management agency.The Malaysian Meteorological Department on Monday forecast a wind convergence in the worst-hit states of Kelantan and Terengganu from Dec. 3 to 4, which it said would potentially bring thunderstorms and heavy rains during the period.The floods have destroyed homes, led to the suspension of rail links, and left businesses and farmers reeling, with more than 38,000 hectares of paddy fields damaged in major rice-producing areas in Malaysia.

  • Winter storm watches issued for Great Lakes region as lake-effect snow continues through the week

    Lake-effect snow is forecast to continue hitting the already snow-buried Great Lakes region.

  • UK weather: Temperatures forecast as low as -10C

    Forecasters are predicting a widespread frost across the UK, with the potential for -10C (14F) in some places. Most areas will turn dry on Monday evening and, as skies clear, temperatures are set to plummet overnight. "Rural areas, mainly in Scotland, could dip as low as -10C (14F), while -6C (21F) is possible in parts of Northern Ireland and north Wales," said Sky News weather producer Chris England.

  • Japan witnesses warmest autumn on record

    Japan has recorded its warmest autumn since records began 126 years ago, the weather agency said, delaying the country's popular displays of seasonal foliage into December.The weather has delayed the country's autumn foliage season -- when tourists flock to see leaves turn vibrant reds and yellows.

  • An Arctic blast caused havoc for Thanksgiving travel - and it’s back this week

    Days of deadly lake-effect snow and wintry conditions brought impassable travel conditions and resulted in the deaths of several people

  • India's winter expected to be warmer, threatening wheat yields

    MUMBAI (Reuters) -India is likely to see above-average temperatures during the winter season, the state-run weather office said on Monday, raising concerns about the yields of crops such as wheat and rapeseed. India is expected to experience above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures from December to February, with fewer "cold wave days expected", the India Meteorological Department said in a statement. Lower production could force the world's biggest wheat producer after China to import the staple to ensure affordable supplies for its 1.4 billion people, and also to increase imports of pulses and edible oils.

  • Death toll in Thailand flooding jumps to 25

    Thousands of people have been displaced by torrential floodwaters that slammed into southern Thailand, where the death toll has risen to 25, officials said on Tuesday. Malaysian disaster officials said on Tuesday that more than 94,000 people were yet to return to their homes after being evacuated due to the floods, with five people reported dead.

  • Warm weather arrives in Calgary and could stick around for more than a week

    Calgarians can expect a bit of a reprieve from cold temperatures this week.After a blast of winter weather hit the city for the last half of November — complete with –20 C nights and frost-coated branches — experts say the first week of December will bring balmier temperatures. "This warmth looks like it's probably going to persist at least seven to 10 days," weather expert and freelance climate journalist Kyle Brittain told CBC Radio's the Calgary Eyeopener on Monday."Some of those side roads m

  • What to know about sinkholes after a Pennsylvania woman may have disappeared into one

    Authorities fear a grandmother in western Pennsylvania who disappeared while looking for her cat may have been swallowed by a sinkhole. Police say Elizabeth Pollard's relatives called police at about 1 a.m. to say she hadn’t been seen since Monday evening when she went to search for her cat. A sinkhole is an area of ground that has no natural external surface drainage and can form when the ground below the land surface can no longer support the land above, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

  • Winter storms are hitting the U.S. Here's how to keep your car, home and family safe.

    Winter storms can turn dangerous when they cause power outages and risky road conditions. Preparation can help keep you and your family safe.

  • At least 19 dead as Cyclone Fengal devastates southern India with heavy rain and flooding

    Army has been deployed to assist rescue operations

  • Freezing rain warnings for northern B.C. after weekend of heavy snow

    Environment Canada has issued several freezing rain and snowfall warnings for northern British Columbia, after the region was hit with heavy snow over the weekend.As of Monday morning, freezing rain warnings were in effect for the north and south Peace River, Bulkley Valley, Fort Nelson, Lakes District and Stuart-Nechako regions.Environment Canada said freezing rain will persist into the afternoon, warning highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.Ice build-up could

  • Killer who boasted ‘I’ll be 45 when I get out’ dies in prison aged 42

    Callum Tole shouted, ‘Happy days. I’m still alive,’ after he was told he would spend the next 18 years in prison

  • Sofía Vergara Poses Topless and Shares Sexy Bikini Snaps from Colombian Holiday Vacation with Her Family

    The actress shared photos of herself posing in a sexy black bikini as she and her family spent Thanksgiving in Colombia

  • One Premier League team has stronger squad than Man City, and it's not Arsenal, says Emmanuel Petit

    Liverpool and Arsenal may be the two title favourites, but Emmanuel Petit sees a bigger threat

  • Erik ten Hag in line for first new job since Manchester United sacking

    The Dutchman is attracting interest

  • South Korea says 38 Vietnamese tourists have gone missing in Jeju island

    Tourists disappear on last stop of their itinerary before their departure

  • Russian actress dies after being swept away by huge wave while doing yoga in Thailand

    Warning systems had been in place for hazardous weather in the area