Tropical Storm Rafael is likely to make landfall around 22:00 UTC on 05 November. Rafael is forecast to become a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean and is expected to pass near or over the Cayman Islands.

Tropical-storm-force winds of 39 mph or higher, with gusts up to 74 mph, are expected, as well as thunderstorms and rainfall of up to 7.5 inches. Flood and marine warnings are in effect, as wave heights associated with the storm are predicted to be 9 - 13 feet, according to the National Weather Service. A hurricane warning is in effect for the Cayman Islands.

The storm's path shows a slight shift toward the west of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, with peak conditions expected over the Sister Islands on the evening of 5 November.

Rafael is expected to be less intense than hurricanes Helene and Milton.