"Steady to rapid intensification is forecast over the next 24 to 36 hours, and Rafael is forecast to become a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean near the Cayman Islands with further strengthening before it makes landfall in Cuba," forecasters said in ...

Rafael was blowing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph) after skirting past western Jamaica around mid-day. The hurricane was located about 60 miles (95 km) east north-east of Grand Cayman, according to the NHC's latest advisory.

A broad area of low pressure in the western Caribbean Sea is becoming better organized and the National Hurricane Center is initiating advisories on the system as of 4 p.m. Sunday.