The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) detailed that at 04:00 hours, local time, Rafael’s center was located near 17.0 degrees North latitude and 78.0 degrees West longitude.

“Rafael is moving northwestward at nearly 20 kilometers per hour (kph) and will maintain a similar course over the next few days,” the NHC states.

It pointed out that the storm is expected to move near Jamaica this morning, be near or over the Cayman Islands tonight, and be near or over western Cuba on Wednesday.

The maximum sustained winds have increased to 95 kph with higher gusts and are expected to intensify steadily to rapidly over the next 24 to 36 hours.

The NHC notes that Rafael is forecast to be near hurricane intensity in the northwestern Caribbean near the Cayman Islands and further strengthening en route to Cuba.

jrr/iff/mem/cdg