Hurricane Beryl has made history as the first named hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, becoming an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 hurricane and the first major hurricane to form before July 4th in over fifty years. Forecasters are warning of high winds, torrential rains, and a dangerous storm surge as Beryl heads towards the southeast Caribbean, with hurricane warnings already in effect for several islands in the region.
As of the latest update, Beryl is located about 310 miles east-southeast of Barbados with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, moving west at 21 mph. The storm is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane before reaching Barbados and the Windward Islands, bringing life-threatening winds and storm surge to the region. Beryl is expected to bring anywhere from 3 to 6 inches of rain to Barbados and the Windward Islands, with a storm surge of up to seven feet.
Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Granada, the Grenadine Islands, and Tobago are all under hurricane warnings, while Martinique is under a tropical storm warning, and Dominica is under a tropical storm watch. The hurricane center is forecasting Beryl to become a major hurricane before reaching the Windward Islands, with impacts expected to start Sunday night.
Warm waters in the Atlantic are fueling Beryl’s intensification, with ocean heat content in the deep Atlantic at record levels for this time of year. The storm is moving further east than most hurricanes in June, further emphasizing the uniqueness of this event.
As Hurricane Beryl continues on its path towards the Caribbean, residents in the affected areas are urged to take necessary precautions and heed all warnings from local authorities. While potential U.S. impacts are still at least eight days away, the storm is expected to remain south of Jamaica. Stay tuned for further updates on Hurricane Beryl as it progresses through the Atlantic.
For more news and updates on Hurricane Beryl and other weather-related developments, visit CBSNews.com for the latest information. Stay safe and prepared during this hurricane season.
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