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.

The hurricane is in rarified air for storms in November, but will be in much different shape as it approaches the US.

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,