WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A tropical storm warning is in effect Tuesday for the Florida Keys as Tropical Storm Rafael approaches hurricane strength and heads toward the Cayman Islands with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.

It is expected to further strengthen into a hurricane as it moves through the Cayman Islands and western Cuba on Tuesday and Wednesday, then exits the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday night.

WPTV

Tracking the Tropics: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide

As the storm moves further into the Gulf, conditions will begin to turn unfavorable and there should be some weakening before landfall (if at all). There is still a lot of uncertainty with the runway once Rafael enters the Gulf.

On Rafael’s current path, South Florida will see no direct impacts. However, we will see some marginal effects as a tropical air mass pulls over us, increasing our chances of rain and humidity over the next few days.

WPTV

The wind will also remain and we could see some tropical storm gusts Tuesday, Wednesday and early Thursday.

Local impacts include the possibility of rainfall totals of 1″ to 2″, but mainly in isolated areas. Thunderstorms and wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph are possible, not directly associated with Rafael. Rough seas and beach erosion are also possible.

WPTV

The WPTV First Alert Weather team is also watching an area behind Rafael, north of the islands, that has a low chance of development at this time.

It is expected to move to the Bahamas on Saturday, then to South Florida on Sunday.

WPTV

Regardless of the development, we will see the chances of wind and rain increase on Sunday and Monday.