Tropical systems become less frequent in November because of less favorable atmospheric conditions. Additionally, storms that do develop find it more challenging to make landfall in the U.S. because cold fronts become more common during this time. These cold fronts can steer storms away from the East Coast or keep them confined to the Caribbean.

Rafael strengthened into a low-end hurricane Tuesday night as it approached the Cayman Islands in the central Caribbean Sea, the National Hurricane Center said. The rare November hurricane was expected to continue churning northwest toward western Cuba and enter the Gulf of Mexico this week,

Rafael intensified into a Category 1 hurricane Tuesday evening in the Caribbean near the Cayman Islands as it headed for the Gulf of Mexico, forecasters said.

Rafael became a hurricane while churning toward the Gulf of Mexico, threatening to inflict damaging winds and heavy rains on populated areas from the Cayman Islands to South Florida.

Tropical Storm Rafael formed in the Caribbean on Monday, a storm that's predicted to intensify into a hurricane and threaten the Gulf Coast this weekend.