Rafael's Rains Lash Leeward Islands
MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Rain from Tropical Storm Rafael continues to pelt the northern Leeward Island.
At 5 p.m. Sunday the storm was 185 miles northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Rafael had top sustained winds of 60 mph and the storm was moving north-northwest at 10 mph.
Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Rafael could become a hurricane by late Monday.
Rafael is expected to move away from the Virgin Islands and Northern Leeward Islands and take a turn to the north on Monday. Rafael is forecast to approach Bermuda on Tuesday.
A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Bermuda.
Rafael is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches, with isolated totals of 12 inches, over the Leeward Islands. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected in the Virgin Islands, Culebra and Vieques.
