ORLANDO, Fla. — Channel 9 meteorologists are monitoring Hurricane Rafael as it continues to strengthen.
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7:15 a.m. update:
The National Hurricane Center confirmed Rafael has strengthened into a Category 2 storm.
It is projected to maintain Category 2 strength as it makes landfall in western Cuba later Wednesday.
Original report:
As of 4 a.m. Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said Rafael’s maximum sustained winds had increased to near 90 mph.
Rafael, a small but powerful storm, will move into western Cuba on Wednesday, possibly as a major hurricane.
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Meteorologist Brian Shields said the storm will then travel into the central Gulf of Mexico.
READ: Warm Wednesday with showers possible in Central Florida
Rafael will stay away from Florida, Shields said.
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As we move closer to the weekend, Shields said Rafael will head toward the western and northern Gulf, where it will be on a weakening trend.
Shields said if it weakens enough, it is actually possible that we won’t see a U.S. landfall with this storm.
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