Hurricane Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2024 season, is rapidly intensifying as it races toward the Caribbean. AccuWeather meteorologists warn that Beryl, which reached Category 1 status on Saturday afternoon with winds of 75 mph, could escalate into a major hurricane by the start of the week. As of 5 a.m. EDT Sunday, Beryl had already strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 100 mph and was moving west at a brisk pace of 21 mph.
Beryl’s rapid intensification is attributed to the increasingly conducive environment around the storm as it approaches the Lesser Antilles. The Meteorological Service of Barbados issued a hurricane warning for the island on Saturday afternoon, while other government agencies in St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, and Grenada have issued hurricane watches. Residents in these areas are urged to prepare for the potential impact, which could include powerful winds and significant storm surge flooding.
“The storm will continue to be steered west-northwestward across the Caribbean Sea by a large area of high pressure through the middle of this week,” said meteorologist DaSilva. As Beryl charges toward the Caribbean, communities brace for the storm’s potential to escalate into a major hurricane, threatening lives and infrastructure across the region. The urgent warnings and rapid developments underscore the need for immediate preparations and vigilance as Beryl approaches.
