Tropical Storm Rafael has formed south of Jamaica and is poised to become a hurricane on Wednesday. Winds are expected to peak near 100 mph on Wednesday and could even get stronger than currently forecasted. Multiple watches and warnings are in effect along the projected path including a tropical storm watch for the Florida Keys. Rafael will emerge in the Gulf of Mexico later this week and a sharp increase in southwesterly wind shear, drier air, and slightly cooler waters should induce weakening as Rafael gets closer to the northern Gulf Coast.

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