Published on July 2, 2024 at 12:14 p.m.
Hurricane Beryl hit the Grenadines an hour before noon on July 1 and is expected to continue its path for the next few days. Here’s everything you need to know about this weather phenomenon currently affecting the Caribbean Sea.
In short:
Hurricane Beryl Strengthens From Category 4 to 5
The hurricane made landfall on Monday at 11:10 a.m. near Carriacou, Grenadines. At that time, it was considered a Category 4 hurricane. Its winds were gusting at 240 km/h, a speed close to the threshold for being upgraded to Category 5 (from 252 km/h).
Around 11 p.m. on July 1, the hurricane became a Category 5 hurricane. Winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) were recorded, according to NOAA. Beryl then continued to intensify during the night. On Tuesday, July 2, in the morning, winds of up to 168 mph (270 km/h) were reported. It is moving from the west to the northwest at 22 mph (35 km/h).
Note that as of July 2, Jamaica is on hurricane alert and Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are on hurricane watch. A tropical storm alert is also in effect in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
The hurricane continues on its path
Beryl is expected to begin to lose intensity as it enters an environment less favorable to its development, particularly where wind shear is greater.
“We are monitoring potential impacts on the Jamaican side between now and Wednesday. Beryl is still likely to be major, meaning Category 3 or higher, at that time. The system’s interaction with Jamaica could help limit the development of the system, as well as an intrusion of drier air at altitude,” explains Alexandra Giroux, meteorologist.
