Hurricane Rafael is now churning its way toward the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, with conditions anticipated to become more intense as it continues its path after making landfall in western Cuba. The powerful Category 2 storm, which has already caused damage and disruption in Cuba, is now set to bring severe weather conditions to parts of the southeastern United States. With maximum sustained winds reaching 100 mph, Rafael is expected to intensify over the warm Gulf waters, raising concerns about its trajectory and potential impacts in the days to come.