Tropical Storm Rafael, located north of Puerto Rico, continues to improve in structure with a large central dense overcast feature well developed over the low level center. Although affected by moderate shear, the NOAA National Hurricane Center's models are in tight agreement that gradual intensification is expected in the short term. The forecast shows Rafael passing east of Bermuda as a hurricane around 48 hours from Monday morning. This image was taken by GOES East at 1315Z on October 15, 2012.
NOAA
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