Hurricane Rafael's Next Target: Bermuda

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

October 15,2012; 2:04PM,EDT

 

 

 

With the Caribbean in its rear view mirror, Hurricane Rafael is expected take aim at Bermuda this week.
A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Bermuda with Rafael set to pass close to the island nation late Tuesday.
The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center is concerned that since Rafael is a large system that it will come close enough to Bermuda to unleash potentially flooding rain, strong winds and pounding surf Tuesday into Tuesday night.
How strong the winds get in Bermuda will depend on Rafael's intensity and proximity to the islands.
Rafael is currently a strong tropical storm and should become a Category 1 hurricane before threatening Bermuda.
Odds, however, currently favor the hurricane and its strongest winds to pass just east of Bermuda. Only a westward shift in Rafael's track would put Bermuda at risk of enduring hurricane-force winds.

Residents of Bermuda should closely monitor the progress of Rafael. Even tropical storm-force winds could lead to minor property damage and power outages.

While Rafael tracks toward Bermuda, it has not stopped impacting the islands of the Caribbean.
Tropical moisture feeding into Rafael's center will lead to more drenching rain squalls for the Leeward Islands into Monday night. Downpours will be on a more localized level across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The fast-moving winds of the jet stream will prevent Rafael from taking a turn toward the United States as it moves farther away from the Caribbean this week. The same winds are also likely to steer Rafael just east of Newfoundland later in the week.

This satellite image of Rafael, courtesy of NOAA, was taken midday Sunday.