Rafael is moving northwestward at nearly 22 kilometers per hour (kph). It is expected to move generally northwestward over the next few hours, followed by a gradual turn to the west-northwest in the Gulf of Mexico.
“On the forecast track, Rafael is expected to cross western Cuba this afternoon while moving southeast Gulf of Mexico this evening,” the US center reported.
The maximum sustained winds have increased to about 150 kph with stronger gusts when it continues strengthening.
It could briefly weaken over Cuba and then expected to emerge into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico as a hurricane.
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