Rafael strengthened into a low-end hurricane Tuesday night as it approached the Cayman Islands in the central Caribbean Sea, the National Hurricane Center said. The rare November hurricane was expected to continue churning northwest toward western Cuba and ...

An active 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season continues as Rafael strengthens into a category 1 storm. It's expected to batter Cayman Islands and Cuba before swinging into the Gulf of Mexico.

Rafael intensified into a Category 1 hurricane Tuesday evening in the Caribbean near the Cayman Islands as it headed for the Gulf of Mexico, forecasters said.

Tropical systems become less frequent in November because of less favorable atmospheric conditions. Additionally, storms that do develop find it more challenging to make landfall in the U.S. because cold fronts become more common during this time. These cold fronts can steer storms away from the East Coast or keep them confined to the Caribbean.

Tropical Storm Rafael formed in the Caribbean on Monday afternoon and appears to be destined to move into the Gulf of Mexico later this week.

A rare November tropical threat could impact the United States over the weekend amid an unusual and relentless hurricane season that shows no signs of letting up.