Hurricane Beryl rapidly intensified in the Caribbean on Sunday, becoming a major Category 4 storm, marking the first time a hurricane has achieved major status east of the Lesser Antilles in June.
This storm is now the earliest Category 4 hurricane on record in the Atlantic, surpassing Hurricane Dennis, which reached Category 4 status on July 7, 2005.
Typically, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season forms in the second week of August, making Beryl the earliest Category 3 storm since 1966. A major hurricane is classified as Category 3, 4, or 5, with wind speeds of 111 mph or higher.
On Sunday, Beryl was located several hundred miles east of the Windward Islands, moving westward over open waters.
By Monday morning, the hurricane's eye is projected to pass just south of Barbados, bringing 130 mph winds and 3 to 6 inches of rain to the region Sunday night and Monday.
Barbados is expected to experience a storm surge of 6 to 9 feet.
Following its impact on Barbados, Hurricane Beryl is forecast to move across the Windward Islands, posing life-threatening conditions and potentially heading towards Jamaica by Wednesday. The storm's trajectory on Sunday was slightly shifting south, making it uncertain if it will make a direct landfall in Jamaica.
Another weather system trailing behind Beryl has the potential to develop into a tropical cyclone, possibly affecting Barbados on the same day Beryl approaches Jamaica.
While it is too early to predict with certainty, there is a chance that Beryl, or its remnants, could reach southern Texas by the upcoming weekend, bringing heavy rainfall to the area. Alternatively, the storm may entirely dissipate over Mexico.
In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued its most heightened hurricane forecast ever for the Atlantic hurricane season. Meteorologists from the National Weather Service anticipate an increase in all categories of storms compared to the average yearly numbers.
Various officials, including National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan and National Weather Service Director Ken Graham, have characterized the 2024 Hurricane Outlook as the most severe forecast released in May to date.
Hurricane Beryl satellite map - Courtesy NOAA
Courtesy NOAA
Key Messages for Hurricane Beryl
Advisory 8: 11:00 AM AST Sun June 30, 2024
1. Beryl is expected to be an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane when it reaches the Windward Islands. This is a very dangerous situation and residents in these areas should listen to local government and emergency management officials for any preparedness and/or evacuation orders. All preparations should be rushed to completion today.
2. Potentially catastrophic hurricane-force winds, a life-threatening storm surge, and damaging waves are expected when Beryl passes over portions of the Windward Islands with the highest risk of the core in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada beginning early Monday morning. Hurricane Warnings are in effect for much of the Windward Islands.
3. Heavy rainfall and localized flooding are expected across the Windward Islands through Monday.
4. Beryl is expected to remain a powerful hurricane as it moves across the Caribbean Sea later this week and interests in Hispaniola, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the remainder of the northwestern Caribbean should monitor its progress, There is large forecast uncertainty at days 4 and 5 and users should not focus on the specific details of the track or intensity forecast.
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