Rafael is strengthening and will likely become a hurricane by Tuesday night as it batters the western Caribbean on the first leg of an uncertain journey toward the US Gulf Coast. Forecasters are warning there’s more uncertainty than usual about where the storm could go once it’s in the Gulf of Mexico midweek.

Rain, tropical-storm-force winds and even the potential for some tornadoes are possible for some portions of Florida with Tropical Storm Rafael.

We continue to track the progress of what is now Tropical Storm Rafael moving towards Jamaica and Cuba. The forecast from the national Hurricane center calls for the system to become a hurricane before reaching Cuba and the Isle of youth.