Storm Rafael unexpectedly reinforced to a formidable Division 3 hurricane Wednesday afternoon — because it churned in opposition to western Cuba on a trail that might threaten US states alongside the Gulf of Mexico within the coming days, forecasters mentioned.
The wild late-season hurricane — which intensified via 50 mph over simply 24 hours to 115 mph — used to be lower than 85 miles from the island and anticipated to manufacture landfall at round 3 p.m. Wednesday, in step with the National Hurricane Center.
The typhoon is forecast to develop even more potent sooner than pounding Cuba however after weaken because it crosses land, forecasters mentioned.
It is going to most probably after emerge within the southeastern Gulf of Mexico — now not a long way from the Florida Keys — Wednesday evening, nonetheless swirling at “hurricane strength,” forecasters mentioned.
“Rafael is expected to make landfall in western Cuba this afternoon,” the NHC mentioned in its 1 p.m. advisory Wednesday. “Rafael is forecast to move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico tonight.”
The hurricane is forecast to wallop Cuba as the primary Division 3 typhoon to strike the rustic since Storm Ian in September 2022. In October, Storm Oscar — a Division 1 hurricane — struck the island, killing a minimum of 6 crowd.
Rafael churned via western Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon however there reported disagree deaths or accidents in spite of the big downpour. It after moved via parts of the Cayman Islands Wednesday morning.
Rafael may is the 5th “major hurricane” — outlined as being a Division 3 or more potent — of the 2024 season and the most powerful to strike the northwestern Caribbean within the moment of November since 2009, in step with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Fat drizzle is forecast in Western Caribbean, together with throughout Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, via Thursday, in step with the NHC.
The hurricane’s trail will pluck it time the Florida Keys and into the Gulf of Mexico, the place it’s going to threaten the United States and in all probability manufacture landfall someplace between Texas and the Florida panhandle over the weekend or early then generation.
