Storm Rafael is Brewing: What to Expect

You know how some days are calm and others are crazy? Well, the Caribbean Sea is about to have one of those crazy days. A storm named Rafael just formed and is expected to become a hurricane soon. It's the 17th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which usually peaks in September but lasts till November. Rafael started as a disturbance on Sunday and has been strengthening ever since. By Monday afternoon, it was about 175 miles away from Kingston, Jamaica, with winds blowing at around 45 mph. It's moving north at about 9 mph, which means it's on its way to some places you might have heard of, like the Cayman Islands and Cuba. The United States could also feel some effects later in the week. Forecasters are keeping an eye on Florida and the Southeast, but it's too early to say exactly what will happen. The storm might bring heavy rainfall, and that could lead to flooding and mudslides in areas like Jamaica and Cuba. You might be wondering, why is this hurricane season so active? Well, there are a few reasons. Sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic are really high, and that can lead to more storms. Experts had predicted an active season, with maybe 8 to 13 hurricanes and 17 to 25 named storms. That's more than the average of 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. So, what can you do? Stay informed, that's what. Keep an eye on the news and listen to local authorities. They'll tell you what you need to do to stay safe.