Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall in Cuba Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Rafael is the 17th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, and it could become the 11th hurricane. The season lasts until Nov. 30.

The centre of Tropical Storm Rafael has begun to move away from the western coast of Jamaica but strong gusty winds and heavy rainfall are still expected across the island on Tuesday. This is according to the latest update from the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service).