Hurricane "Beryl" continues to approach the Caribbean islands

Storm - Hurricane "Beryl" continues to approach the Caribbean islands

The first hurricane of the Atlantic season is moving closer to several small Caribbean islands. With wind speeds of up to 195 kilometers per hour, it is expected to reach parts of the Windward Islands today. It has been downgraded from Category 4 to Category 3 but is still considered extremely dangerous.

At 11:00 a.m. local time (15:00 MESZ), the eye of the storm, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was 200 kilometers east-southeast of Grenada and 225 kilometers south-southeast of St. Vincent. Meteorologists at the US National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, are warning of life-threatening winds and heavy storm surges.

A hurricane warning is currently in effect for the islands of Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Tobago. A tropical storm warning is also in effect for Martinique and Trinidad.

"If this hurricane hits us as predicted (...), we will suffer many losses and damages, not only for individual families but also for the country," said the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, in a speech to the nation. "May God guide and protect us all," shared the Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Philip Pierre, on Facebook and declared a national shutdown.

Historical Hurricane

In less than 24 hours, "Beryl" had developed from a tropical storm into a Category 4 hurricane with wind speeds of 215 kilometers per hour on Sunday. "Beryl is now the earliest Atlantic Category 4 hurricane on record and surpasses Hurricane Dennis, which became a Category 4 hurricane on July 8, 2005," wrote hurricane and storm surge expert Michael Lowry on the platform X.

Hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific are named each year according to alphabetical lists. The already powerful "Beryl" is therefore only the second storm of the season, which begins in the Atlantic on June 1 and in the Pacific on May 15. A hurricane is defined as winds of 119 kilometers per hour or more, with the highest category - 5 - starting at 251 kilometers per hour.

The Atlantic hurricane season could be unusually strong this year, according to the US National Weather Service's assessment. Reasons include unusually high water temperatures in the Atlantic and the anticipated onset of "La Niña," a phase of cooler water in the Pacific.

Tropical cyclones form over warm ocean water. Global warming increases the likelihood of strong storms. Tropical cyclones typically gain strength as they move over the sea but lose their power quickly over land due to the lack of a supply of warm, moist air masses.

According to current forecasts, "Beryl," after leaving the Lesser Antilles behind, is expected to continue moving westward through the Caribbean Sea. Mexican forecasts indicate that it may approach the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula with popular tourist destinations Cancun and Playa del Carmen by Thursday.

1. The hurricane is expected to impact several Caribbean islands, including Grenada and St. Vincent, which are part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
2. The storm could also affect Tobago, a sister island of Trinidad and Tobago, located in the southern Caribbean.
3. Many residents of these Caribbean islands, including Grenada and St. Lucia, have been urged to evacuate due to the impending hurricane.
4. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been closely monitoring the hurricane, providing regular updates on its path and wind speed.
5. The Pacific region is also experiencing its own set of weather challenges, with Hawaii currently under a tropical storm warning.
6. The Prime Minister of Martinique, a French island in the Caribbean, has also issued a call for precautions, urging residents to stock up on supplies and secure their properties.
7. In the past, hurricanes have caused significant damage to Caribbean islands, such as Barbados, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Janet in 1955.
8. Miami, Florida, has also been keeping a close eye on the hurricane, as it could potentially affect the southeastern United States in the coming days.
9. The Atlantic hurricane season sees many storms develop each year, and Hurricane Beryl is only the second of the season.
10. Climate scientists have noted that warmer ocean temperatures can lead to more frequent and intense hurricanes, making the Caribbean vulnerable to these powerful storms.
11. Despite efforts to mitigate the impact of hurricanes, such as strengthening infrastructure and improving evacuation plans, these natural disasters can still cause significant damage and disruption to life in the Caribbean.

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