Rafael Expected to Move Away from Florida

With the Caribbean in its rear view mirror, strengthening Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to take aim at Bermuda this week. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Bermuda with Rafael set to pass extremely close to the island nation late Tuesday. The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center is concerned that Rafael will come close enough to Bermuda to unleash potentially flooding rain, damaging winds and pounding surf Tuesday into Tuesday night. How severe the winds are across Bermuda will depend on Rafael's intensity and proximity to Bermuda.

Rafael is currently a strong tropical storm and should become a Category 1 hurricane before threatening Bermuda. Odds, however, currently favor the future hurricane and its strongest winds to pass just east of Bermuda, but that is not set in stone. A slight westward shift in Rafael's track would put Bermuda at risk of enduring hurricane-force winds. Residents of Bermuda should closely monitor the progress of Rafael. Even tropical storm-force winds could lead to widespread tree damage and power outages. While Rafael tracks toward Bermuda, it has not stopped impacting the islands of the Caribbean.

 

Tropical Storm Rafael 5 Day Forecast Map

Tropical moisture feeding into Rafael's center will lead to more drenching rain squalls for the Leeward Islands into Monday. Downpours will be on a more localized level across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The fast-moving winds of the jet stream will prevent Rafael from taking a turn toward the United States as it moves farther away from the Caribbean this week. However, the same cannot be said for Atlantic Canada once Rafael departs Bermuda. The jet stream may instead help draw Rafael northward toward Newfoundland later Wednesday or Wednesday night.

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist – AccuWeather.com