Tropical Storm Rafael is on track to hit the southern tip of Louisiana by Saturday as it continues to gather strength en route to the Gulf of Mexico, and could become a hurricane by the time it hits Cuba.

The storm is heading to these states. The post Here’s Where Hurricane Rafael Is Likely To Hit The US, Models Say appeared first on Mandatory.

A new tropical storm is expected to form within the next 24 hours and will likely move into the Gulf of Mexico by Wednesday.

The severe weather system is expected to intensify rapidly in the coming days as it approaches the mainland U.S.

While Tropical Storm Rafael winds remained consistent Monday night, the storm is forecast to strengthen Tuesday and become a hurricane Wednesday, bringing destructive winds and heavy rainfall to the western Caribbean and southern Florida by midweek.

Gulf Coast residents are urged to be aware of a system expected to become a tropical storm and possibly a hurricane.

Tropical Storm Rafael gained steam late on Monday as it churned northward toward Cuba, which is still struggling to recover from a nationwide blackout and hurricane two weeks ago. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Rafael would see "steady or rapid intensification" before plowing across western Cuba with maximum predicted winds of up to 100 mph (160 kph) by Wednesday.