Tropical Storm Rafael formed Monday afternoon in the Caribbean Sea, where it is expected to cross Jamaica, the Grand Cayman Islands, and Cuba, before entering the Gulf of Mexico this week. It is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane before weakening back down to a tropical storm in the Gulf.

Tropical Storm Rafael, formed Monday and is expected to move north into the Gulf of Mexico where it will become a hurricane and possibly track toward the Southeastern United States. Heavy rainfall will spread north into Florida and adjacent areas of the Southeast United States during mid- to late week, forecasters said.