Hurricane Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2024 season, has now reached category 5 status. Winds are now at 160 mph, with gust approaching 200 mph. This makes Beryl the earliest cat 5 in the Atlantic basin in recorded history. Records began in 1851.
Typically, we don’t see strong hurricanes until September. This season may be anything but typical, especially with ocean temperatures being the warmest we’ve ever recorded in many areas.
Still, warm waters are part of the equation. The atmosphere above has to cooperate, as well, and we’ll see how well those two line up for the rest of the season. Right now, indications are that this season will continue to be very active.
Thankfully, Beryl’s days of living in a nearly perfect environment are about to come to an end. Wind shear is expected to increase within the next 24-26 hours and that will lead to weakening. Yes, the storm will still be over hot water, but the atmosphere above will become more hostile. Therefore, Beryl should weaken and could even weaken substantially before reaching the Yukatan Peninsula of Mexico.
Beryl may then get into the southwest Gulf by Friday night, but it should be a tropical storm by then. Still, it’s one to watch, especially if it ends up just brushing the northern end of the Yukatan.
In the timelapse below, the sun eventually sets on Beryl. Amazing video, for sure! We can’t even imagine the power in those skies!
I circled the Yukatan peninsula in the image below. Jamaica is highlighted in red for hurricane warnings. Beryl is expected to be a major hurricane (cat 3 or higher) when it impacts Jamaica.
Pictured below is the Hurricane Hunter flight path that confirmed cat 5 wind speeds.
