Environment

MAP: Here’s the forecast path for Hurricane Rafael

Here's the latest forecast track of Hurricane Rafael, which is expected intensify to near Category 3 strength on a path over Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricane Rafael is forecast to be near Category 3 strength as it makes landfall in Cuba on Wednesday before continuing on a path into the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected to pass over the the western tip of Cuba and enter Gulf of Mexico by Thursday. From there, the forecast path shows the storm tracking toward the central U.

S. Gulf coast. But forecasters said it’s too soon to know what, if any, impacts Rafael could bring to the region.

Here’s the latest forecast track:.