Tropical Storm Rafael churned in the central Atlantic early Monday as it neared hurricane strength, forecasters said. The storm packed powerful 70 mph winds Monday morning and was centered about 290 miles (467 kilometers) north-northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. It was swirling north-northwest at 9 mph, forecasters said. "Strengthening is forecast ... and Rafael is expected to become a hurricane today," the hurricane center said. A projection map shows Rafael headed toward Bermuda later this week.