Hurricane Beryl intensified to Category 4 with sustained winds of 130 mph on Sunday, a day after it was a tropical storm. The storm’s rapid intensification is unprecedented for June, and it’s heading towards the Lesser Antilles. The National Hurricane Center warns of “life-threatening” impacts.
Warnings Issued
Hurricane warnings are in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Tobago. Martinique is under a tropical storm warning.
St. Lucian Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre announced a national shutdown beginning at 8:30 p.m. Sunday on Facebook. He urged citizens to support each other as they prepare for the storm.
The hurricane center warned of “potentially catastrophic hurricane-force winds” and flooding. “All preparations should be rushed to completion today,” the center posted at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Beryl’s Location and Movement
As of 11 a.m. Eastern time, Beryl was approximately 350 miles east-southeast of Barbados, moving west at 21 mph. The storm exhibits powerful inward suction and fierce winds due to the low atmospheric pressure at its center.
Thunderstorm clouds reaching 50,000 feet and high-altitude cirrus clouds are signs of the storm’s intensity. These conditions suggest further intensification is possible.
Rapid Intensification
Beryl evolved from a tropical storm to a Category 3 hurricane in 36 hours, intensifying by 75 mph—a first for June. Such rapid intensification is rare, according to DTN Weather researcher Sam Lillo.
Unprecedented Conditions
This level of storm intensification in June is unprecedented. Ocean waters are running 3 to 4 degrees above average, similar to August temperatures, contributing to the storm’s strength.
Only two major hurricanes have formed in June before: Audrey in 1957 and Alma in 1966, both in the Gulf of Mexico. The Atlantic’s Main Development Region was previously considered inhospitable to major hurricanes during June.
Potential Impacts
Beryl is expected to impact the Lesser Antilles on Monday, likely hitting the Windward Islands with 130 mph winds. The National Hurricane Center predicts a storm surge of 6 to 9 feet and 3 to 6 inches of rain.
High pressure to the north will keep Beryl on a westward path. By Tuesday, Beryl will enter the eastern Caribbean, potentially weakening due to changing winds.
Jamaica, Cuba, and the Yucatán Peninsula could be affected, with Mexico more likely to be impacted. A less likely scenario sees Beryl entering the Gulf of Mexico between Cancún and western Cuba.
Original Story at www.washingtonpost.com