Hurricane Rafael barreled toward Cuba on Wednesday, forecast to make landfall in western Cuba as a major Category 3 hurricane that forecasters warn could bring “life-threatening” storm surges,

Hurricane Rafael hit Category 2 strength and will likely intensify further as it churns north towards western Cuba on Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said, packing sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph) as it neared the Caribbean island's southern shore by mid-morning.

Rafael continued to intensify on Tuesday night as it aimed to make landfall in Cuba as a Category 2 hurricane, forecasters said. The National Hurricane Center said in its 10 p.m. EDT Tuesday update that the storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and was likely to rapidly intensify into a Category 2 hurricane before reaching Cuba on Wednesday.