MIAMI – Millions of people from the Caribbean to the U.S. Gulf Coast are keeping their eyes on Tropical Storm Rafael as the system becomes more organized and expected to become a hurricane within the next day or so.

The tropical storm was designated Tropical Depression Eighteen by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) before it had developed a sufficient center of circulation. wind speeds to reach tropical storm status Monday afternoon.

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For the US, the Florida Keys will be on alert for tropical storm conditions as early as Wednesday, when Rafael is set to enter the Gulf of Mexico.

“It is too early to determine what impacts Rafael could have on portions of the northern Gulf Coast,” the NHC said.

Tropical Storm Rafael is located 175 miles from Kingston, Jamaica, with maximum winds of 45 miles per hour.

According to the NHC, it is moving north at a speed of 15 km/h.

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Rafael is forecast to become a hurricane on Tuesday as it approaches the Cayman Islands. Before it gets there, tropical storm conditions are expected in Jamaica overnight and Tuesday morning.

Due to the potential threats posed by Tropical Storm Rafael, a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the lower and middle Florida Keys, from Key West to west of the Channel 5 Bridge, and for the Dry Tortugas.

A tropical storm warning is in effect in Jamaica.

A hurricane warning remains in effect for the Cayman Islands, while the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas and Isle of Youth are under hurricane watch.

According to the NHC, Tropical Storm Rafael will turn to the northwest tonight. This motion is expected to continue in the coming days. Rafael will pass near Jamaica tonight and be near or over the Cayman Islands late Tuesday.

Tropical Storm Rafael is then expected to approach Cuba on Wednesday.

Original article source: Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to become a hurricane before entering the Gulf of Mexico; warnings issued in Florida