CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP/AP) - Another tropical storm made landfall in Jamaica and could impact the south this week. Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to become a hurricane by the end of Wednesday. Rafael is expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it heads toward Cuba. “Rafael is expected to become a hurricane as it passes near the Cayman Islands with further strengthening before it makes landfall in Cuba,” according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Tropical Storm Rafael chugs past Jamaica as Cuba prepares for another hurricane hit Forecasters warned Rafael would unleash heavy rains across the western Caribbean that could lead to flooding and mudslides, with totals of 3 to 6 inches (7 to 15 centimeters) and up to 10 inches (25 cm) expected locally in Jamaica and parts of Cuba. Heavy rainfall also was expected to spread north into Florida and nearby areas of the southeast U.S. during the middle to late part of the week. A few tornadoes also were expected Wednesday over the Keys and southwesternmost Florida mainland. It has been have been an active hurricane season with 17 storms, 10 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. As it nears the end of hurricane season, expect less tropical activity through November. Local News Headlines Massachusetts animal shelters mark milestone with 50,000 pets taken in from out of state CitySpace awarded funds for Easthampton’s former Town Hall restoration Tropical Storm Rafael expected to become hurricane Enfield Police looking for woman reported missing since September WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.