The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Rafael formed in the Caribbean on Monday, and is forecast to intensify into a hurricane as it heads north toward the Gulf of Mexico. As of the NHC’s 7 p.

A disturbance in the Caribbean strengthened Monday afternoon into Tropical Storm Rafael, which is forecast to become a hurricane Tuesday.

The western tip of the Florida Panhandle could see impact from Tropical Depression 18, which is expected to become Hurricane Rafael by Tuesday.