National Hurricane Center Warns Caribbean and Southern Florida to Brace for Tropical Storm Rafael

A potentially dangerous storm is brewing in the Atlantic.

©National Hurricane Center

While the Atlantic Hurricane Season is technically almost over (technically ending November 30th), that doesn’t mean it’s too late for dangerous storms to develop in the region. In fact, as of November 5th, 2024, there’s a massive tropical storm currently churning in the Caribbean.

STORM UPDATES

A Step-by-Step Guide to Hurricane Cancelation Policies and Refunds in Disney World

How to Handle the Worst-Case Scenario During Hurricane Season at Disney World

The BEST Hurricane-Ready Hotels in Disney World

6 Items You Need For a Hurricane in Disney World

Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Tropical Storm Rafael currently sits 80 miles south-southwest of Montego Bay, Jamaica, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and is currently moving northwest at approximately 13 MPH. The storm’s current projected path would see it move near Jamaica and the Cayman Islands on Tuesday night before passing near or over western Cuba on Wednesday.

©National Hurricane Center

The NHC expects Rafael to reach hurricane-level strength sometime in the next day or so, likely before it makes landfall over Cuba. According to the organization, Rafael is currently “situated in an atmospheric and oceanic environment that is quite conducive for strengthening.”

According to forecasters, Rafael could potentially bring rains of 3-10 inches to the areas that could be affected, including in Jamaica and Cuba, where it could lead to flooding and mudslides.

©National Hurricane Center

This heavy rainfall is also expected to spread north into Florida and nearby areas of the southeast U.S. in the middle to late part of the week, with tornadoes predicted to arrive over the Keys and southwesternmost Florida mainland by Wednesday.

Several warnings are currently in effect in the region, including hurricane warnings for the Cayman Islands and the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, and the Isle of Youth. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Jamaica and the Cuban provinces of Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus, and Ciego de Avila, and a tropical storm watch is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Camaguey and Las Tunas and the Lower and Middle Florida Keys from Key West to west of the Channel 5 Bridge, as well as Dry Tortugas.

©NHC

Tropical Storm Rafael is the 17th named storm of the 2024 Hurricane Season, and it has the potential to develop into a devastating weather event. Stay tuned to DFB for further coverage.