This article is about Hurricane Beryl, a current tropical cyclone where information can change quickly or be unreliable. The latest page updates may not reflect the most up-to-date information. |
Hurricane Beryl is a powerful and dangerous tropical cyclone that is currently threatening the Windward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago. Beryl is the second named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. It is also the earliest-forming Category 4 Atlantic hurricane on record in a season and the strongest June hurricane on record in the basin. Since forming on June 28, 2024, in the Main Development Region to the west of Cabo Verde, the system has moved through the central Atlantic Ocean while rapidly intensifying.
Current satellite imagery of Hurricane Beryl | |
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | June 28, 2024 |
Category 4 major hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 130 mph (215 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 956 mbar (hPa); 28.23 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Areas affected | |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season |
Meteorological history
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
On June 25, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted a low potential for a tropical wave to eventually develop into a tropical cyclone. At the time, the wave was south of Cabo Verde, and was producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms just south of Cabo Verde.[1] By June 26, the NHC anticipated that environmental conditions would be "unusually conducive for late June across the central and western tropical Atlantic." By that time, the thunderstorms had increased and become better organized, with curved bands and some spin.[2][3] By June 27, the NHC assessed a high likelihood of development.[4] The disturbance further organized, becoming Tropical Depression Two over the central tropical Atlantic on June 28. At the time, the depression was about 1,970 km (1,225 mi) east-southeast of Barbados, which the NHC considered "unusual", with few June storms developing further east.[5]
Located south of a strong subtropical ridge, the depression moved generally westward through an area of low wind shear, warm sea surface temperatures, and plenty of atmospheric moisture. As a result, the system began a period of rapid intensification. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Beryl six hours after formation,[6] and the thunderstorms quickly organized into a central dense overcast, with a symmetric cloud pattern surrounded by rainbands.[7] Late on June 29, Beryl intensified into a hurricane. The inner core of the thunderstorms organized into an eye,[8] which became clear and symmetrical. Observations from the Hurricane Hunters indicated that Beryl became a major hurricane on June 30, which is a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with maximum sustained winds over 185 km/h (115 mph).[9] The hurricane strengthened further into a Category 4 hurricane, with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h).[10] However, due to an eyewall replacement cycle, Beryl weakened back into a Category 3 hurricane later that day.[11] It later re-intensified into a Category 4 hurricane early the next day.[12]
Preparations
Lesser Antilles
Barbados, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia were put under a hurricane warning on June 29.[13] Tobago was also put under a hurricane warning on June 30,[14] while Trinidad was under a tropical storm warning.[15] Martinique was also under a tropical storm warning.[16] Caribbean Airlines postponed several flights between Barbados, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago on June 30.[17] The India national cricket team was unable to return home from Barbados after winning the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.[18] More than 400 people were staying in hurricane shelters across Barbados.[19]
A 7:00 pm curfew was instated in Grenada for June 30. A state of emergency was declared by Governor Cécile La Grenade that would last for a week.[20] A Caribbean Community meeting in Grenada, scheduled to run from July 3 to July 5, was cancelled.[21] On June 29, the prime minister of Saint Lucia ordered a national shutdown in anticipation of Beryl's impacts on the island nation.[22] Saint Vincent and the Grenadines imposed a curfew for 7:00 pm.[23] Shelters were opened on June 29 on the islands.[24]
Ferry schedules were modified on June 30 in Trinidad and Tobago. All ferries to Tobago for July 1 were cancelled.[25]
Records
Category | New record | Previous record | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|
Easternmost hurricane in June | 49.3°W, June 29 | 58.9°W, June 27, 1933, Trinidad hurricane | [26][27] |
Easternmost major hurricane in June | 53.9°W, June 30 | 54.1°W, July 7,[clarification needed] 2008, Hurricane Bertha | [26][28] |
Earliest Category 4 hurricane in the basin | June 30 | July 8, 2005, Hurricane Dennis | [26][29] |
Hurricane Beryl set several Atlantic tropical cyclone formation and records (back to 1851). Additionally, Beryl was the first system on record to undergo rapid intensification in the Main Development Region of the Atlantic (east of the Lesser Antilles) in June.[26] It was also the strongest June Atlantic hurricane on record as measured by wind speed, surpassing Hurricane Audrey of 1957.[30][31]
See also
References
- ^ Bucci, Lisa (June 25, 2024). Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Eric Blake (June 26, 2024). Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Masters, Jeff; Henson, Bob (June 27, 2024). "An early start to the Atlantic's Cabo Verde season?". New Haven, Connecticut: Yale Climate Connections. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Larry Kelly (June 27, 2024). Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Cangialosi, John (June 28, 2024). Tropical Depression Two Discussion Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
- ^ Cangialosi, John (June 28, 2024). Tropical Storm Beryl Discussion Number 2 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
- ^ Cangialosi, John (June 28, 2024). Tropical Storm Beryl Discussion Number 4 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Papin, Philippe (June 29, 2024). Hurricane Beryl Discussion Number 6 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ Cangialosi, John (June 30, 2024). Hurricane Beryl Intermediate Advisory Number 7A (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Cangialosi, John (June 30, 2024). Hurricane Beryl Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Papin, Phillippe (June 30, 2024). Hurricane Beryl Discussion Number 10 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Blake, Eric (July 1, 2024). Hurricane Beryl Intermediate Advisory Number 11A (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ Papin, Philippe (June 29, 2024). Hurricane Beryl Intermediate Advisory Number 5A (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ Tonks, Sara; Faheid, Dalia (June 30, 2024). "Hurricane Beryl intensifies into an 'extremely dangerous' Category 4 storm as it approaches the Caribbean". CNN. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Coto, Dánica (June 30, 2024). "Hurricane Beryl approaches the southeast Caribbean after strengthening into a Category 4 storm". Rochester, New York: WHEC-TV. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Alsharif, Mirna; Romero, Dennis (June 30, 2024). "Beryl forecast to become an 'extremely dangerous' Category 4 hurricane". NBC News. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ "CAL announces flight cancellations due to severe weather". Loop Caribbean News. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ "Hurricane Beryl disrupts T20 WC winning Indian team's return from Barbados". Business Standard. Bridgetown, Barbados. June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Wolfe, Elizabeth (July 1, 2024). "Hurricane Beryl nears Caribbean as life-threatening Category 3 storm – marking an unusually early start to hurricane season". CNN. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ De Shong, Dillon (June 30, 2024). "Hurricane Beryl: Grenada to go on lockdown from 7pm | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Neal, David J.; Charles, Jacqueline (June 30, 2024). "The Caribbean begins to shut down in preparation for Category 4 Hurricane Beryl". Miami Herald. Haiti. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ "PM Announces National Shutdown From 8:30 PM On Sunday". St. Lucia Times. June 29, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ De Shong, Dillon (June 30, 2024). "St Vincent PM expects Hurricane Beryl to severely damage the country". Loop News. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ "Hurricane Beryl becomes "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm as it nears Caribbean islands". CBS News. June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ "All ferry sailings for Monday cancelled". The Guardian Trinidad & Tobago. June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Henson, Bob; Masters, Jeff (June 30, 2024). "Category 4 Beryl on collision course with Windward Islands". New Haven, Connecticut: Yale Climate Connections. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Coto, Dánica (June 29, 2024). "Beryl strengthens into a hurricane in the Atlantic, forecast to become a major storm". apnews.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 29, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ "Historic Hurricane Beryl on track to hit Caribbean as major hurricane". theweathernetwork.com. Pelmorex. June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Klotzbach, Philip [@philklotzbach] (June 30, 2024). "#Hurricane #Beryl is now a Category 4 hurricane with max winds of 130 mph - the earliest calendar year Atlantic Category 4 hurricane on record. Old Atlantic record for earliest Category 4 hurricane was Hurricane Dennis on July 8, 2005 at 0UTC" (Tweet). Retrieved June 30, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Wulfeck, Andrew (June 30, 2024). "Beryl makes history by becoming strongest hurricane to form in June". FOX Weather. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Roeloffs, Mary Whitfill (June 30, 2024). "Hurricane Beryl Rapidly Intensifies Into Category 4: Here's The Latest Forecast". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
External links
- The NHC's Advisory Archive on Hurricane Beryl