Tropical Storm Rafael to become a hurricane before Cuba landfall Wednesday

Forbes

Will Tropical Storm Rafael Become A Hurricane And Impact The U.S.?

Newsweek

Tropical Storm Rafael Path Update, Tracker as Warning Issued to Florida

As of around noon EST Wednesday, Category 2 Hurricane Rafael was less than 150 miles south-southeast of Havana, Cuba, with The Weather Channel (TWC) predicting it to hit western Cuba as a Category 3 later in the day with 74 mph winds or higher.

The Weather Channel

This follows Rafael's path through other parts of the Caribbean on Tuesday, leaving flash floods and knocking out electricity in Jamaica, as well as power outages and school closures in the Cayman Islands.

CBS News

However, if the Category 3 reports are accurate, Cuba will receive winds of more than 110 mph. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is also predicting rainfall of four to eight inches in western Cuba, with up to 12 inches in higher terrain.

After Cuba, TWC projects Rafael to continue westward, with winds gradually slowing down 100 mph Friday morning, 80 mph Saturday morning, and 40 mph Monday morning, eventually hitting the Florida Keys and the northern Gulf Coast as a Tropical Storm.

Independent

While the NHC hasn't said exactly when and how it will hit the US, it has issued a warning of up to three inches of rain and one to-three-foot storm surges in parts of Florida, with TWC warning of an increased risk of tornadoes in the Keys and southwestern Florida.

Daily Mail

Rafael, which is the 17th named storm of the season, may also hit the Texas coast but is weakening due to changing wind directions, dry air, and cooler water.

Report: Rafael to Hit Cuba as Hurricne, Florida Keys as Tropical Storm

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Report: Rafael to Hit Cuba as Hurricne, Florida Keys as Tropical Storm

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