### Storm Watch: Tropical Storm Rafael’s Path Through the Caribbean and Beyond

Tropical Storm Rafael is making its way through the Caribbean, with forecasters closely tracking its progression over the next few days. By midweek, Rafael is anticipated to reach the Gulf of Mexico, though its precise path remains uncertain once it is over the warm gulf waters.

According to meteorologist and reporter Judson Jones, weather experts have a good grasp of Rafael's movements for the next 48 hours as it cruises through the Caribbean Sea towards Cuba. However, the storm's trajectory becomes less predictable as it nears the United States.

By Monday afternoon, forecasts indicated that Jamaica would experience tropical storm conditions by evening. The storm's center is expected to pass just west of Jamaica overnight, avoiding a direct hit on the island. This marks the second tropical system to impact Jamaica this year, following Hurricane Beryl, which brought intense winds, power outages, and flooding to many communities earlier in the season.

As of Monday afternoon, tropical storm watches were issued for parts of the Florida Keys, suggesting that storm conditions could develop within the next 48 hours. On Tuesday morning, Rafael is projected to be directly west of Jamaica, traveling northwest throughout the day.

The Cayman Islands could face hurricane conditions by Tuesday afternoon as Rafael is expected to intensify into a hurricane while passing through the area. Forecasters also noted that tropical-storm-force winds could reach South Florida as early as late Tuesday, with a greater likelihood of arrival by Wednesday morning.

Stay tuned for continued updates as Tropical Storm Rafael progresses and its future path becomes clearer.