SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Tropical Storm Rafael has developed into a Category 1 hurricane as it moved past Jamaica, making its way toward western Cuba. This weather development presents yet another challenge for Cuba, which is currently facing power outages while trying to recover from a previous hurricane that struck the region two weeks ago, resulting in at least six fatalities in eastern Cuba.

On Tuesday morning, the storm was situated approximately 20 miles (35 kilometers) southeast of Little Cayman in the Cayman Islands. It recorded maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph) and was advancing northwest at a speed of 15 mph (24 kph), according to reports from the National Hurricane Center based in Miami.

Meteorologists have issued warnings that Rafael is likely to make landfall on the island of Cuba by Wednesday, having already caused heavy rainfall in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands earlier on Tuesday. The National Hurricane Center alerted residents to the potential hazards of flooding and mudslides associated with the storm’s expected trajectory.