MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –

Today:

Skies will stay cloudy for Thursday as more showers and storms are likely, especially through the first half of the day. Expect highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s around the region as the wind continues from the east-northeast at 5-10 mph. Severe weather is not expected with any of the storms tomorrow.

In the evening and overnight skies will remain cloudy as conditions stay muggy and calm. A couple of spotty showers will be possible, but the majority of the rain expected this week will be over with by then. Low temperatures will again fall firmly in the upper 60s with a couple of spots staying over 70.

The Tropics

Hurricane Rafael intensified rapidly into a Category 3 storm before slamming into the western portion of Cuba today. It will be a bit weaker as it clears Cuba and begins to turn west into the Gulf of Mexico. As of now wind shear in the Gulf is expected to weaken Rafael before any potential second landfall.

Follow Chief Meteorologist Aaron Lowery on Facebook (Aaron Lowery 41NBC) and Twitter (@ALowWX) for weather updates throughout the day. Also, you can watch his forecasts Monday through Friday on 41NBC News at 4, 5, 5:30, 6, and 11 p.m.