Hurricane Rafael remained a "powerful compact hurricane" as it slowly churned in the central Gulf of Mexico, U.S. forecasters said Friday.  Where is the storm and what is its path? According to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center,

Follow along here for the latest information on Hurricane Rafael for Friday, Nov. 8. Hurricane Rafael has strengthened into a Category 3 storm as it approaches the coast of western Cuba, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Rafael has made landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 storm. It is expected to continue into the Gulf of Mexico, weakening but potentially threatening the southeastern United States. Only when tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean encounter the right ingredients for long enough do they strengthen to the point of designation.