Tropical Storm Rafael is directly over the Caymans right now and will intensify to a hurricane tonight, cross over Western Cuba Wednesday and into the Gulf Thursday.
Because the center of the storm will stay west of Key West, we are only getting grazed.
Key West is not in the forecast cone, but because the Lower and Middle Keys are on the storm’s right, active side, a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Layton to Key West.
This is where we could see 1-3” of rain with a few spots higher than that. Storm surge for the Keys will peak at about 2 feet.
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The strongest rain bands will bring gusts up to 45 mph and from Homestead South, especially in the Lower and Middle Keys, tornadoes and water spouts are possible.
Meanwhile, up north, Miami and Fort Lauderdale have the Wind Advisory and the rip currents; Broward has the High Surf Advisory.
For Miami-Dade and Broward, expect strong winds and the occasional outer band, but the bulk of the rain will be focused in The Keys.
Weather
Boaters are under a Gale Warning tonight and a Small Craft Advisory on Wednesday and Thursday. Breezy but beautiful weather is expected on Friday and Saturday.
TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy and breezy. Showers and storms. Rain: 50%. Low: 78°.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy and windy. Rain building into the Keys. Rain: 50%. High: 84°.
THURSDAY: Early showers, then gradual clearing and breezy. Rain: 40%. High: 84°.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny and breezy. Rain: 10%. High: 85°.
