Tropical Storm Rafael has formed in the Caribbean Sea. The storm is not expected to have any significant impacts to the US.
Rafael is currently located just south of Jamaica where Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect.
The storm is expected to continue to strengthen and eventually make landfall over western Cuba as a Category 1 or 2 hurricane on Wednesday afternoon.
Heavy rain is likely along its path with 8″ or more expected over the southern half of Jamaica.
After that, a general weakening trend is anticipated as the storm gets shredded by an approaching front over the US. If it survives, a landfall as a weak tropical storm can’t be ruled out over the western or central Gulf Coast late in the week.
The storm will help bring some much needed moisture into the eastern half of the country where it has been very dry since Helene. The remnants will join with the front and help bring widespread rain showers to much of the Appalachian region from Thursday through the weekend.
