An active 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season continues as Rafael strengthens into a category 1 storm. It's expected to batter Cayman Islands and Cuba before swinging into the Gulf of Mexico.

The National Hurricane Center is tracking a system in the Caribbean likely to develop in a few days. The next named storm will be called Patty.

After a brief run as a Category 3 overnight, Rafael weakened into a strong Category 2 hurricane this morning, with sustained winds of 110 mph and a meandering path away from Florida and the rest of the U.

Rafael strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane overnight, with sustained winds of 120 mph, but the latest path seems to be heading away from Florida and the rest of the U.S. in a meandering trip through the Gulf of Mexico where it is expected to weaken over the next few days,