Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to become a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean.
With just over three weeks left in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, that’s unwelcome news to Florida and residents along the Gulf Coast.
But warm waters and low wind shear in the Caribbean provide conditions favorable for “steady to rapid intensification,” according to the National Hurricane Center.
➤ Spaghetti models for Tropical Storm Rafael
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Once it makes its way into the Gulf of Mexico, Rafael will run into cooler waters and more wind shear, but a landfall along the Gulf Coast is expected late this week or the weekend, according to AccuWeather.
See the latest spaghetti models and satellite images of Rafael.
Spaghetti models for Tropical Storm Rafael
Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.
Tropical Storm Rafael tracker: Where will it go?
Satellite images of Tropical Storm Rafael
Will Tropical Storm Rafael become a hurricane?
Both AccuWeather and the National Hurricane Center predict Rafael will become a hurricane in the Caribbean.
What else is the National Hurricane Center tracking?
Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
Atlantic storm tracker
Countdown clock: When will hurricane season end?
When does hurricane season end?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
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What’s next?
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Tropical Storm Rafael tracker: Florida projected path, spaghetti model
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