Hurricane Beryl becomes a’very dangerous Category 3 storm’ as it approaches Caribbean

Beryl, the Atlantic’s first hurricane for 2024, intensified on Sunday morning into a “very hazardous” Category 3 storm, according to National Hurricane Center.

By Dalia Faheid, Sara Tonks

Jun 30, 2024 01:56 PM

CNN —

Beryl, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2024, intensified on Sunday morning into a “very hazardous” Category 3 hurricane as it raced towards Barbados and Windward Islands. It was expected to bring destructive hurricane force winds and a life-threatening storm tide, according the National Hurricane Center.

Beryl, according to the National Hurricane Center, is expected be a “extremely hazardous” Category 4 Hurricane when it reaches Windward Islands late Sunday or early on Monday. It is unusual that the season’s very first hurricane occurs so early, as the average first hurricane date is August 11.

As of 8:15 a.m. The center stated that Beryl was 420 miles east of Barbados and heading west, with winds up to 115 mph.

NHC stated that “Devastating wind damage will be expected where Beryl’s eyewall moves through parts of the Windward Islands.” A “life-threatening surge of water” will also occur in areas where Beryl is expected to make landfall within the hurricane warning zone.

The hurricane has intensified rapidly, increasing by 55 mph within 24 hours of Sunday morning. The National Hurricane Center defines Rapid Intensification by an increase of maximum sustained wind speeds of 35 mph in 24 hours.

Mike Brennan of the National Hurricane Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield on Saturday that they were expecting rapid intensification and expected Beryl to become major hurricanes before it reached places like Barbados and Windward Islands. It will continue to be an extremely powerful hurricane when it moves to the eastern and central Caribbean in the early part of next week.

Beryl will be a Category 4-hurricane when it passes close to the Windward Islands, Grenada and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines. This would make it one of the strongest hurricanes in this area since Hurricane Ivan 2004.

Brennan warned residents in areas with hurricane warnings to be ready for storm impacts. Beryl is a storm that can bring heavy rain, hurricane-force winds, dangerous waves and storm surge. According to the Center, rain totals between 3 and 6 inches may cause localized flooding in the Windward Islands on Sunday night or Monday.

Hurricane warnings are in force for Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadine Islands, Grenada, and Tobago. Martinique has received a tropical storm warning, while Dominica is under a tropical hurricane watch.

The first hurricane is early for the season

Beryl was the first major hurricane in the Atlantic for 58 years. Brennan says that the storm’s rapid intensity is unusual for this early in hurricane season. According to NOAA, it’s very rare for tropical systems, especially strong ones, to form in central Atlantic east the Lesser Antilles during June. Only a few have done so.

Beryl is not just early for the hurricane season, it is also the third-earliest major storm in Atlantic Ocean history. Hurricane Alma was the first major hurricane, occurring on June 8, 1996. Hurricane Audrey reached major status in June 1957.

If Beryl does as predicted and reaches Category 4, it will be the first Category 4 storm in Atlantic Ocean history.

The storm beat the previous record of 1933 for the most easternmost tropical hurricane in the Tropical Atlantic.

In August, the central and eastern Atlantic are more active than usual. This is partly because ocean temperatures have warmed and fueled developing systems.

The transition from El Nino to La Nina has resulted in water temperatures above normal and less wind shear, which both fuel tropical development.

Brennan stated that Beryl had found an environment where the ocean water was very warm for this time of the year.

According to Brennan the warmer waters in the Atlantic Basin allowed tropical storms and Hurricanes to develop more rapidly in an eastward direction, allowing them to become stronger and more destructive early in the hurricane season. The hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.

Brennan explained that ocean water normally seen in August and September is now being observed in late June. It’s opening up the deep tropical Atlantic to hurricane formation before the peak of what is traditionally the hurricane season.

Caribbean Islands urge the public to prepare for hurricanes

Authorities urge residents to take preventative measures as Hurricane Beryl gains strength and approaches several Caribbean nations.

Barbados officials say that the island will feel the effects of the storm by late Sunday night. The island’s meteorological services predicts storm-force wind, 3 to 6 inch of rain, “hazardous marine conditions” and severe thunderstorms which may disrupt power utilities.

Wilfred Abrahams, Minister of Home Affairs and Information, said in a press release that “all the preparations we make for a hurricane are in full swing.” We have less than 48-hours until we can expect to see this system’s effects on Barbados. Please make the most of this time.

Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines warns that the storm may hit the islands as early as Monday morning. The Meteorological Service forecast sustained winds between 74 and 110 mph, or greater. Rainfall is expected to range from 4 to 6 inches.

Gonsalves, a resident of the capital, said that “Kingstown will be flooded as soon as this hurricane gets on track.” “Normally, 2 inches of rain will flood the city. This rain must be sustained. “Four inches of rain will flood the city.”

The government of St. Lucia warns residents that the storm may bring “moderate-to-heavy showers, thunderstorms and gusty wind” to the area. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre advises residents to review their emergency plans and make the necessary preparations.

The National Disaster Management Agency in Grenada is also encouraging residents to be prepared by having emergency supplies kits and trimming branches and trees that are overhanging, clearing drains, and knowing the location of their emergency shelters.

NOAA predicts a hurricane season above normal

According to Phil Klotzbach’s research at Colorado State University, the formation of systems in this part the Atlantic so early in the season is a sign that the hurricane season will be hyperactive. Normal ocean temperatures in June and August are not warm enough to support tropical systems.

National Weather Service Forecasters predict17-25 named storms in this season. Eight to thirteen of these will become hurricanes and four to seven will be major hurricanes.

Brennan said, “That’s way above average.”

The weather service claims that this is “due a confluence factors, such as near-record temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, the development of La Nina in the Pacific Ocean, the reduced Atlantic trade winds, and less wind shear. All of these tend to favor the formation of tropical storms.”

This report was contributed by CNN’s Michael Rios and Allison Chinchar. Sara Smart, Amanda Musa Peyton Galyean Monica Garrett Eric Zerkel Brandon Miller.