Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to strengthen into a hurricane and move into the Gulf of Mexico, but most of its worst weather should stay west of the Tampa Bay area, forecasters said. [ National Hurricane Center ] The National Hurricane Center expected ...

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,