Steady to rapid intensification is forecast over the next 24 to 36 hours, Rafael became a Category 1 hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean.

Hurricane RafaelRafael continues to strengthen and move northwest towards Cuba today where hurricane warnings are in effect. The storm is forecast to make landf

The storm is expected to continue strengthening is it moves to the northwest and will likely become a hurricane by early Wednesday.

Hurricane Rafael swirled past the Cayman Islands and was expected to rapidly intensify until making landfall on Wednesday in western Cuba, where it's forecast to hit as a Category 2 hurricane. Read more: How rare are November hurricanes in the Gulf? Rafael will be one of few in history.

From there, the forecast takes Rafael past Jamaica, which remains under a tropical storm warning, and the Caymans, which remain under a hurricane warning, on Tuesday. The lower Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas are under a tropical storm watch.

Tropical Storm Rafael was chugging past western Jamaica on Tuesday and was expected to strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall in Cuba and potentially impacting the Florida Keys.

Tropics threats for Jacksonville/NE Florida/SE Georgia: Rafael will move from the Caribbean to the Gulf of Mexico with its broad circulation enhancing rainfall somewhat Wed.-Thu. along with continued onshore flow causing rough seas & surf & a high rip current risk.

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

The National Hurricane Center forecasts Tropical Storm Rafael to grow into the season’s 11th hurricane on Tuesday as it moves toward Cuba with winds and storm surge expected to affect the Florida Keys this week.

Rafael was expected to continue to pass by Jamaica through Tuesday afternoon, be near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday night, and make landfall in Cuba on Wednesday.