Storm - First hurricane of the season in the Atlantic: warning for Barbados
In the Atlantic, the first hurricane of the season has developed. Tropical Storm "Beryl" has intensified into a Category 1 hurricane and is expected to rapidly intensify, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Saturday (local time). It is predicted that he will bring life-threatening winds and heavy rain to the Windward Islands - the northern part of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. A hurricane warning is now in effect for Barbados.
The center of the tropical storm is currently located 1160 kilometers east-southeast of Barbados, where "Beryl" is expected to arrive late Sunday evening or Monday, bringing "life-threatening storm surges." Currently, "Beryl" has wind speeds of 120 kilometers per hour.
Hurricane Season
The hurricane season over the Atlantic is expected to be above average this year, according to the assessment of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Reasons include unusually high water temperatures in the Atlantic and the expected onset of "La Niña," a phase of cooler water temperatures in the Pacific.
Tropical cyclones form over warm ocean water. The increasing Earth temperature increases the likelihood of strong storms. A hurricane is defined as a storm with wind speeds of 119 kilometers per hour or more. The hurricane season begins in the Pacific on May 15 and in the Atlantic on June 1. It ends in both regions on November 30.
[Image: Map of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean showing the location of the Lesser Antilles and the predicted path of Hurricane Beryl]
[Source: NOAA]
The anticipation for an above-average hurricane season in the Atlantic has heightened, as indicated by NOAA's assessment. With unusual Atlantic waters temperatures and the approach of "La Niña", stronger storms may become more frequent. The Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean, specifically the Windward Islands, are in the path of Tropical Storm "Beryl", now a Category 1 hurricane. According to NOAA's predictions, Barbados, located nearby, is under a hurricane warning due to this storm. The tropical cyclone, named "Beryl", currently has wind speeds of 120 kilometers per hour, and it's rapidly gaining strength in the Atlantic. During the hurricane season, tropical storms like "Beryl" originate over warm ocean water, with potential devastating consequences for coastal regions, as witnessed in Bridgetown, Barbados.
