A rare Hurricane in November is barreling toward the US and could hit as early as this weekend.

Storm Rafael was upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane today and could make landfall anywhere from the Texas coast to the Florida Panhandle.

The storm expected to hit western Cuba and the Isle of Youth within the next 12 hours….

According to the latest reports, Rafael is expected to hit western Cuba and the Isle of Youth within the next 12 hours, bringing heavy rain, high winds, and dangerous storm surges to the region.

From there, experts predict Rafael will emerge into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico tonight as a hurricane.

Tropical storm conditions are anticipated in Florida Keys, with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issuing a warning to residents.

Americans have been advised to secure loose outdoor objects due to strong winds and flooding.

According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bill Deger, small changes in Rafael’s strength and the winds around it can make a big difference in where it goes next.

The storm gets a bit stronger or if the winds that push it change direction, its path could shift.

A spaghetti model – so-called because the lines resemble strands of pasta – revealed Rafael has four possible paths to the US, but has the highest probability of making landfall in Louisiana.

Yet, the NHC has issued a tropical storm warning for the Lower and Middle Florida Keys today, as Rafael could deliver up to three inches of rainfall and increase tornado risk as it passes by the Sunshine State.

‘Bands of rain containing gusty winds will impact this area through Wednesday night. A few tornadoes cannot be ruled out in the Keys and far southwestern Florida as well,’ The Weather Channel reported.

As per The NHC, it’s still too early to determine when and how Rafael will impact the Gulf Coast of the US, but residents should continue to monitor the forecast for updates.

As of 10:00am ET, Rafael was located roughly 130 miles south-southeast of Havana and tracking northwest at 14 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, according to the NHC.

A hurricane warning is in effect for this region, and locals should brace for ‘damaging hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge and destructive waves,’ according to the advisory.

The storm will also drop heavy rain over parts of the Western Caribbean through early Thursday, the NHC stated, including Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and western Cuba.

Once the system moves into the Gulf of Mexico, Rafael is expected to weaken as the environment becomes increasingly less conducive for the hurricane to maintain its intensity, the NHC stated.