Hurricane Rafael intensifies as it heads toward Cuba, could bring rain, winds to Keys
Hurricane Rafael intensified to a Category 2 storm Wednesday morning as it’s projected to slam into western Cuba by afternoon or evening, according to the latest National Hurricane Center forecast.
The Florida Keys are under a tropical storm warning as the hurricane may bring rains and winds to the region.
As of the 7 a.m. Wednesday update, forecasters said Rafael intensified to a Category 2 hurricane with 100 maximum sustained winds. Rafael is about 90 miles off the Isle of Youth and expected to make landfall in western Cuba by Wednesday evening before moving into the Gulf of Mexico.
The storm was heading northwest at a speed of 14 mph.
“Rapid strengthening is forecast, and Rafael could be near major hurricane intensity before it makes landfall in Cuba later today. Rafael is forecast to weaken over Cuba but is expected to emerge into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico as a hurricane,” forecasters wrote.
Between 4 to 7 inches of rain is expected across the Cayman Islands and western Cuba.
Moving away from Florida
A high-pressure system over Florida is steering the storm away from the state, protecting the peninsula from the worst of the system. The Miami office of the National Weather Service noted that the chances South Florida will experience sustained tropical storm force winds this week are low — around 9% for Miami and 18% for Fort Lauderdale.
South Florida could also see 1 to 2 inches of rain through Thursday night, with some spots seeing as much as 4 inches.
The hurricane center is also watching a tropical disturbance near Florida. As of Tuesday afternoon, its chances of formation had risen — a 30% shot at development in the next seven days and a 20% chance in the next two. The next name on the list is Sara.
Hurricane season officially ends Nov. 30.
