Even without a landfall in Florida, the state is expected to feel some impacts from Rafael, starting as early as today.

Tropical Storm Rafael became a Category 3 major hurricane Wednesday afternoon as it nears the coast of western Cuba, the National Hurricane Center said.In a 1 p.m. ET update, the NHC said Rafael was 85 miles south of Havana,

Hurricane Rafael has strengthened into a Category 3 storm as it approaches the western coast of Cuba, according to the National Hurricane Center.