HAVANA (Reuters) -Tropical Storm Rafael gained steam late on Monday as it churned northward toward Cuba, which is still struggling to recover from a nationwide blackout and hurricane two weeks ago.

A hurricane warning is in effect for the Cayman Islands and the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas and the Isle of Youth.

Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to become a major hurricane before it makes landfall in western Cuba, the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday morning.In a 10 a.m. ET update, the NHC said Rafael was 130 miles south-south-east of Havana,