NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Rafael is now a category two storm as it moves west-northwest in the southeastern Gulf. The storm was dealing with dry air earlier in the day but now an eye is beginning to appear and it looks like strong thunderstorm activity is once again developing in the northern half. This indicates the storm is continuing to try and strengthen despite somewhat less than favorable conditions. The current forecast from the National Hurricane Center is basically unchanged from the past day or two. The bulks of the forecast models indicate Rafael moving west around a ridge of high pressure across the northern Gulf, and eventually even moving southwest by early next week. For us locally over the next couple of days the main focus will be on the trough to the west and how much moisture it's able to pull up from the south. Right now it looks like just spotty showers Friday and Saturday, and then better rain chances as we go through the day on Sunday. It will stay very muggy through the weekend and then be slightly drier by the early part of next week. Tiger Stadium Saturday night will be close to a bigger batch of rain just to the the west. At the moment it looks like hit or miss showers there with again more persistent rain to the west. Boating plans would still be discouraged offshore either way due to wind and higher swells. Continue to stay with WGNO on air and online for the latest. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Father of Opelousas girl shot in head speaks out as she clings to life: 'Put the guns down' This volunteer is your guide at the National World War Two Museum How much of the vote did Jill Stein receive? What happens between now and inauguration? Migrants worry Trump will do away with asylum appointments at ports of entry