Rafael got stronger in a hurricane as it crosses the southern Caribbean Sea.

The Category 1 storm has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and is approaching the Cayman Islands. It will be near or over western Cuba on Wednesday and move into the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday evening.

The forecasters of the National Hurricane Center let’s say “steady to rapid intensification” is expected over the next 24 hours or so.

Heavy rain is forecast through Thursday morning over Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and parts of Cuba. Isolated totals of up to 10 inches are expected over higher terrain, which could lead to flash flooding and mudslides.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Lower and Middle Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas, where up to three inches of rain are forecast. A few tornadoes are possible tomorrow in the Keys and inland of southwest Florida.

Although additional strengthening is expected, the storm is expected to weaken to a tropical storm due to wind shear and colder waters as it enters the Gulf of Mexico.

Meteorologists caution that it is too early to determine what impacts, if any, Rafael could have on parts of the northern Gulf Coast.

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