Tropical Storm Rafael — previously known as Tropical Cyclone 18 — is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Wednesday morning as it moves across the Caribbean Sea.

The storm is forecast to approach the central and northern Gulf of Mexico later this week. As of Tuesday afternoon, Rafael had sustained winds of 60 mph and was moving northwest at 13 mph.

It’s expected to undergo “steady to rapid intensification” and is expected to become a hurricane as it passes near the Cayman Islands, the National Hurricane Center said.

Rafael is the 17th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season — and it will be the 11th hurricane if it strengthens further, as expected. An average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes, according to the NHC.

National Weather Service Lake Charles Storm Warning Coordinator Doug Cramer said he remains confident that once Rafael moves into the Gulf, the system will weaken.

In the meantime, Cramer said numerous showers and thunderstorms associated with a cold front that is expected to hover over the region are expected through Wednesday night. Rainfall amounts could range from 1.5 inches to 3.5 inches in isolated amounts.