Tropical storm Rafael forms in Caribbean, forecast to strengthen into hurricane

Forecasters expect Rafael to impact the Cayman Islands on Tuesday with potential hurricane conditions and to approach Cuba by Wednesday.

Heavy rainfall is predicted over Jamaica and western Cuba through mid-week. (Representational photo/ Wikimedia Commons)

Tropical Storm Rafael, the 18th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, formed on Monday as a tropical depression strengthened over the Caribbean. Forecasters predict it will intensify into a hurricane as it moves northward toward Cuba later this week, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

A hurricane warning has been issued for the Cayman Islands, while a hurricane watch remains in place for parts of Cuba. Meanwhile, Jamaica is under a tropical storm warning.

As of 4 p.m. EST on Monday, the NHC reported that Rafael was situated roughly 175 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica, moving north at a speed of 9 mph and carrying maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. A tropical storm reaches hurricane status when winds reach 74 mph, which is anticipated by Tuesday.

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Forecasters expect Rafael to impact the Cayman Islands on Tuesday with potential hurricane conditions and to approach Cuba by Wednesday.

Heavy rainfall is predicted over Jamaica and western Cuba through mid-week, with the NHC warning of totals between 3 to 6 inches and locally up to 9 inches in some areas. This rainfall could bring flooding to affected areas, with mudslides possible due to the intensity of the storm.

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CBS News meteorologist Nicolette Nolan indicated that Rafael is projected to move into the Gulf of Mexico later in the week. However, model projections for its trajectory after reaching the Gulf differ, leaving coastal regions from Texas to Florida on alert for potential impacts as the week progresses.

(With inputs from CBS News)

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