Tropical Storm Rafael formed in the Caribbean on Monday, a storm that's predicted to intensify into a hurricane and threaten the Gulf Coast this weekend.

Tropical Storm Rafael strengthened to near hurricane intensity Tuesday night, as it barreled toward the Cayman Islands and Cuba, where it was forecast to hit as a hurricane.The storm was located 25 miles (45 kilometers) southeast of Little Cayman in the Cayman Islands on Tuesday after passing by Jamaica,

ORLANDO, Fla. – Tropical Storm Rafael continues to strengthen as it moves through the Caribbean. As of Tuesday morning, Rafael is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by Wednesday as it approaches the western side of Cuba. It has maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and is moving northwest at 13 mph.