Tropical Storm Rafael Nears Hurricane Status As It Heads North Toward US: New Projected Track

Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to become a hurricane quickly after it became a named storm Monday afternoon, Nov. 4.

11/05/2024 4:25 p.m.

Dangerous storm surge is expected Tuesday night, Nov. 5 as it passes near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday night, Nov. 5.

It should become a hurricane Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, Nov. 6, the National Hurricane Center said.

Additional strengthening is expected as it advances toward western Cuba on Wednesday, Nov. 6 when hurricane-force winds are possible.

Tropical storm conditions are then possible in the Florida Keys late in the day Wednesday and Wednesday night.

It could then extend to areas of the southeast US toward the end of the week, on Thursday, Nov. 7, and Friday, Nov. 8.

"It is too soon to determine what, if any, impacts Raphael could bring to portions of the northern Gulf Coast," the hurricane center said.

For a look at the latest projected track and timing of Rafael, released late Tuesday afternoon, see the image above.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season runs through Saturday, Nov. 30.

Earlier report - System Expected To Become Tropical Storm Projected To Move North Toward US Coast

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