The looming presence of Hurricane Rafael is already being felt across Cuban territory, notably impacting the Isle of Youth, Cayo Largo del Sur, and the southern region of Matanzas. Social media is awash with images depicting hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall in these areas. Rapidly worsening weather conditions are particularly evident in the Zapata Swamp region.
At 9:00 a.m. local time, the Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) issued a new bulletin urging Cubans to remain "prepared and alert" as Rafael approaches Cuban soil. An update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) at 10:00 a.m. local time reported that Rafael's center was located just 95 km east-southeast of the Isle of Youth and 205 km south-southeast of Havana. Currently a Category 2 hurricane, Rafael boasts maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h). However, by the same report, it was a mere 3 km away from escalating to a Category 3 storm.
The hurricane maintains its northwesterly trajectory at a speed of 14 mph (22 km/h), with a central minimum pressure of 960 mb (28.35 inches). Forecasts continue to predict that Rafael will intensify to a major hurricane category before striking western Cuba.