Hurricane Rafael makes landfall in Cuba as major Category 3 storm: NHC

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane Rafael became a Category 3 storm on Wednesday before making landfall in western Cuba, the National Hurricane Center said.

Its maximum sustained winds are 115 mph.

The storm made landfall at 4:15 p.m. ET in the Cuban province of Artemisa, just east of Playa Majana.

According to NHC, a northwestward motion is possible over the next few days, with a gradual west-northwestward turn in the Gulf of Mexico. Rafael is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico by Wednesday night.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…

• Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque,
  Matanzas, and the Isle of Youth

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

• Cuban provinces of Villa Clara, and Cienfuegos
• Lower and Middle Florida Keys from Key West to west of the
  Channel 5 Bridge
• Dry Tortugas