Cloudy skies and an increase in wind is what’s expected across South Florida throughout the day as Hurricane Rafael draws closer to the Sunshine State.
Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for the lower and middle Keys.
That is where most of the impacts will be felt with this storm.
Periods of heavy rain is expected starting Wednesday afternoon through this evening, across the lower and middle keys.
The Hurricane season is on. Our meteorologists are ready. Sign up for the NBC 6 Weather newsletter to get the latest forecast in your inbox.
To be clear, this will not be a high impact storm for Broward or Miami-Dade.
With that said, look for breezy conditions throughout the day. We could see wind gust as high as 35-40mph, and a few scattered.
Higher wind gust are expected south across the warned area. The keys could see 60 mph gust -- especially Wednesday night as Rafael makes its closest approach.
Once the storm hits the gulf, it will run into drier air, cooler water and wind shear allowing for the storm to weaken.
We could see a few waves of moisture through Thursday morning but drier skies return Thursday afternoon through Saturday.
TODAY: Mostly cloudy & 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 & breezy. Rain: 10%. High: 85°.
