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Rafael strengthens to Category 1 hurricane

Hurricane Rafael, 7 a.m. Nov. 6, 2024
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Rafael on Tuesday night strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 80 mph and it heads toward the Cayman Islands.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Lower and Middle Florida Keys from Key West to west of the Channel 5 Bridge.

It's expected to further strengthen as it moves through the Cayman Islands and western Cuba on Tuesday and Wednesday, then emerge into the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday night.

TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide

As the storm moves farther into the Gulf, conditions will start to become unfavorable and there should be some weakening before landfall (if any landfall). There's still a lot of uncertainty with the track once Rafael gets into the Gulf.

Rafael

On Rafael's current track, South Florida will not see direct impacts. However, we will see some fringe effects as it will drag a tropical air mass over us, which will increase our rain chances and humidity over the next few days.

It will stay windy, too, and we could see some tropical storm wind gusts Tuesday, Wednesday and early Thursday.

Local impacts include the possibility of rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches, but mainly in isolated areas. Thunderstorms and wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph are possible, but not directly associated with Rafael. Rough seas and some beach erosion are also possible.

Rafael

The WPTV First Alert Weather team is also watching an area behind Rafael, north of the islands, that has a low chance of development at the moment.

It's expected to move into the Bahamas on Saturday, then into South Florida on Sunday.

Regardless of development, we will see wind and rain chances pick up on Sunday and Monday.

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TERMS TO KNOW

TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.

TROPICAL STORM WARNING: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.

HURRICANE WATCH: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

HURRICANE WARNING: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.