At 100 PM EST (1800 UTC), the center of Hurricane Rafael was located near latitude 22.0 North, longitude 82.3 West. Rafael is moving toward the northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h).
A general northwestward motion is anticipated over the next day or so, followed by a gradual west-northwestward turn in the Gulf of Mexico.
On the forecast track, Rafael is expected make landfall in western Cuba this afternoon. Rafael is forecast to move into the southeastern Gulf
of Mexico tonight.
Satellite data and preliminary reports from an Air Force Reserve
Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph (185 km/h) with higher gusts.
Some additional strengthening is likely before Rafael makes landfall in Cuba this afternoon. Rafael is forecast to weaken over Cuba but is expected to emerge into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico as a hurricane.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km).
An automated weather station at Cayo Largo Del Sur, Cuba, reported sustained winds of 58 mph (93 km/h) with a gust to 83 mph (134 km/h) within the past few hours.
The minimum central pressure estimated from Air Force reconnaissance aircraft data is 956 mb (28.23 inches).
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