Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Rafael on Monday as it continues to organize near Jamaica, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.

The National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Rafael grew into a major Category 3 storm Wednesday ahead of landfall in Cuba as it headed toward the Gulf of Mexico, while the Florida Keys remained under a tropical storm warning.

The Yucatán Peninsula is bracing for intense rainstorms on Thursday as Hurricane Rafael heads for Mexico's Gulf Coast, where it will linger.