Historic storm - Powerful hurricane "Beryl" makes landfall in the Caribbean
The eye of the dangerous hurricane "Beryl" is moving over the southeastern Caribbean. According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), the storm, which reached hurricane status as a Category 4 with sustained winds of up to 220 kilometers per hour, passed near the island of Carriacou, which belongs to Grenada, shortly before local noon (18.00 hours). This is the first hurricane of the season and, according to experts, the earliest ever measured in the Atlantic of this category.
A hurricane warning is also in effect for Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago. The NHC warns of extremely dangerous conditions with life-threatening wind and storm surges. Residents of the affected areas are advised not to leave their shelters. The Jamaican government has also issued a warning for possible hurricane conditions.
Historical Hurricane
In less than 24 hours, "Beryl" 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 hurricane of Category 4 on record, surpassing 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 every year according to alphabetical lists. The already powerful "Beryl" is therefore only the second storm of the season, which begins in the Atlantic on May 1 and in the Pacific on May 15. A hurricane is defined as winds of 119 kilometers per hour or more, and the highest category - 5 - begins at 251 kilometers per hour.
Hurricane Season may be stronger than usual this year
According to the assessment of the US Weather Service, the hurricane season over the Atlantic could be unusually strong this year. Reasons include unusually high water temperatures in the Atlantic and the expected 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 usually gain strength as they move over the sea. However, they lose their power quickly over land due to the lack of a supply of warm air masses.
According to current forecasts, "Beryl," after leaving the Lesser Antilles behind, should continue to move westward through the Caribbean Sea. Mexican forecasts indicate that it could approach the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula with the popular beach destinations of Cancun and Playa del Carmen by Thursday.
The Caribbean island of Carriacou, belonging to Grenada, experienced a close encounter with hurricane "Beryl." The storm, now a Category 4, is the earliest Atlantic hurricane of this intensity on record, surpassing Hurricane Dennis from 2005.
Residents in Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago are under a hurricane warning. Jamaica has also issued a warning for potential hurricane conditions.
Historically, hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific are named annually according to alphabetical lists. This year, "Beryl," as the second storm of the Atlantic season, has shown an early and powerful start.
The US Weather Service anticipates an unusually strong hurricane season over the Atlantic this year due to unusually high water temperatures and the expected onset of "La Niña," a cooler phase in the Pacific.
Tropical cyclones form over warm ocean waters, and global warming increases the likelihood of strong storms. However, these storms lose their power quickly over land due to the lack of warm air masses.
As per current forecasts, "Beryl" will continue its westward journey across the Caribbean Sea after departing from the Lesser Antilles. Mexican forecasts suggest a potential approach to the Yucatan Peninsula's eastern coast by Thursday, including popular destinations like Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Prime Minister Keith Mitchell of Grenada stated that his government was working closely with regional authorities to monitor and prepare for the storm. The Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, appealed to his nation's citizens to stay vigilant and follow warnings and advisories.
Bridgetown, the capital city of Barbados, is gearing up for possible hurricane conditions, with residents and authorities taking necessary precautions. St. Lucia, also within the hurricane's potential path, is carrying out similar preparations.
The Atlantic's hurricane season has seen an unconventional start with the early-season development of powerful hurricane "Beryl," serving as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather patterns in the region.
