Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to become a hurricane in the Caribbean as it approaches Cuba and prepares for landfall.

The storm isn’t expected to directly impact the United States, but its moisture will reach Florida and the Southeast. The tropics are heating up once again. Late Monday afternoon, Tropical Storm Rafael formed over the Caribbean Sea.

Tropical Storm Rafael is forecast hit Cuba as a hurricane by Wednesday and bring heavy rainfall to Florida as it tracks across the Gulf of Mexico.

"Rafael is forecast to become a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean," the NHC said. "With further strengthening before it makes landfall in Cuba."

Steady to rapid intensification is forecast over the next 24 to 36 hours, and Rafael is forecast to become a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean.