Rafael strengthened into a low-end hurricane Tuesday night as it approached the Cayman Islands in the central Caribbean Sea, the National Hurricane Center said. The rare November hurricane was expected to continue churning northwest toward western Cuba and enter the Gulf of Mexico this week,

Rafael is the 17th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach. An average year sees 14 storms. Eight named storms have developed in November since 2013.

Eleven hurricanes have developed in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, a total that's rare in over 170 years. Rafael joined the parade: Rafael became the 11th hurricane of the season as it was near the Cayman Islands and western Cuba in the western Caribbean Sea.

Tropical Storm Rafael is on the brink of hurricane strength as it move northwest in the Caribbean Sea towards Cuba. After crossing the island mid-week, it will move towards the central Gulf of Mexico.