BTN News: Beryl became the first named hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season this weekend. It is also the first in over 50 years to form before the 4th of July in the Atlantic. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said this storm became a Category 4 hurricane on Sunday, June 30. It is getting stronger as it moves towards the Windward Islands in the eastern Caribbean.
Current Status and Weather Warnings for Caribbean Islands
Hurricane Beryl is called an “extremely dangerous” storm by Philip Klotzbach. He is a hurricane researcher at Colorado State University. Beryl is now about 500 kilometers east-southeast of Barbados. Hurricane warnings are in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago. Beryl will cross the Windward Islands soon. These islands are Grenada, Martinique, St. Lucia, Dominica, and St. Vincent. It will bring winds of 210 kilometers per hour. Sabu Best, the director of the Barbados Meteorological Service, said Beryl will pass 42 kilometers south of the island. FOX Weather reported this.
Predicted Rainfall and Sea Level Rise in the Caribbean
The National Hurricane Center says Beryl could bring up to 15 centimeters of rain to St. Vincent. It could bring between 5 and 10 centimeters of rain to Martinique, Grenada, and Dominica. These rains and a sea level rise of up to 2.1 meters could cause big flooding and damage. Brian McNoldy, a tropical meteorology researcher at the University of Miami, said to CBS News that “the warm waters are feeding Beryl. The ocean heat content in the deep Atlantic is the highest recorded for this time of year.”
Hurricane Beryl is a Historic Storm and a Dangerous Weather Event
Beryl has raised worries due to its fast strengthening. David Parkinson, a weather producer at CBS News, said this is the furthest east a hurricane has formed in June since 1933. McNoldy also said this is unusual and needs constant watching. Weather Underground says the last hurricane to form before July in the Atlantic was Alma. Alma hit the Florida Keys on June 8, 1966.
Safety Measures and Path of the Hurricane in Caribbean Region
Hurricane warnings in Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago are to reduce potential harm. In Martinique, a tropical storm warning is in effect. In Dominica, there is a tropical storm watch. Authorities ask people to get provisions and follow evacuation orders in the affected areas.
The weather information shows that any impact on the United States is still about eight days away. Beryl is expected to stay south of Jamaica, avoiding a direct path to the U.S. The size and path of Hurricane Beryl have made all emergency protocols active in the Caribbean. This shows how serious this historic weather event is.
