Rafael strengthened into a low-end hurricane Tuesday night as it approached the Cayman Islands in the central Caribbean Sea, the National Hurricane Center said. The rare November hurricane was expected to continue churning northwest toward western Cuba and enter the Gulf of Mexico this week,

Hurricane Rafael continues to gain strength and remains on track to emerge in the Gulf of Mexico where millions of people from Texas to Florida will be keeping their eyes on the late-season hurricane.

Like Rafael, stronger storms with staying power that form late in the season often originate in the Caribbean Sea. Here's more.

Rafael intensified into a Category 1 hurricane Tuesday evening in the Caribbean near the Cayman Islands as it headed for the Gulf of Mexico, forecasters said.

Tropical Storm Rafael formed in the Caribbean on Monday, a storm that's predicted to intensify into a hurricane and threaten the Gulf Coast this weekend.

Tropical Storm Rafael is on the brink of hurricane strength as it move northwest in the Caribbean Sea towards Cuba. After crossing the island mid-week, it will move towards the central Gulf of Mexico.