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.

(Reuters) -Hurricane Rafael is passing through the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean and is forecast to rapidly intensify before making landfall in western Cuba, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Storm Rafael is barreling through the Caribbean and may impact the U.S. Gulf Coast this weekend. Rafael is bringing gusty winds and heavy rain to Jamaica on Tuesday morning. MORE: How accurate is hurricane forecasting?

Rafael has undergone rapid intensification and is expected to be a major hurricane before it makes landfall in Cuba later today,” forecasters with the Hurricane Center said Wednesday. “Rafael could briefly weaken over Cuba but is expected to emerge into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico as a hurricane.