Rafael strengthened into a Category 2 and then a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday. The Category 3 storm, classified as a major hurricane, has winds of 111 to 129 mph on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Rafael is expected to move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico Wednesday night and into the Gulf this weekend.

Forecasters warned that Rafael was predicted to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging hurricane-force winds and flash flooding to parts of western Cuba.

A hurricane warning has been issued for the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Matanzas and Youth Island. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Cuban counties of Villa Clara and Cienfuegos, as well as the lower and central Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas from Key West to west of the Channel 5 Bridge.

Hurricane conditions are expected in western Cuba Wednesday night.

Rafael will dump heavy rains across the Western Caribbean through early Thursday, with 4 to 8 inches expected in Western Cuba; Higher totals isolated to 12 inches in higher terrain will result in flash flooding and mudslides. The NHC said the storm surge could also raise water levels along Cuba’s south coast “up to 9 to 14 feet above normal tide levels in areas with onshore winds.”

Tropical storm conditions are expected in the lower and central parts of the Florida Keys in the USA until Wednesday evening.

Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected for the lower and central Florida Keys. Several tornadoes are also likely in the Florida Keys and far southwest mainland Florida by Wednesday evening.