Hurricane Beryl strengthened Sunday to a dangerous Category 3 storm with life-threatening winds and storm surge expected in the Caribbean by early Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
As of the NHC’s 8 a.m. update, the eye of Hurricane Beryl was located 420 miles east-southeast of Barbados and moving toward the west near 21 mph. A continued quick westward to west-northwestward motion is expected during the next few days.
On the forecast track, the center of Beryl is expected to move across the Windward Islands early on Monday and across the southeastern Caribbean Sea Monday night and Tuesday.
Aircraft data indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph with higher gusts, making Beryl a very dangerous category 3 hurricane. Continued rapid strengthening is forecast over the next day or so, and Beryl is expected to become an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane before it reaches the Windward Islands.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles.
A hurricane warning is now in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, Grenada, and Tobago. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Martinique and a tropical storm watch for Dominica. Additional watches and warnings will likely be required for portions of the Lesser Antilles later today.
AccuWeather meteorologists currently don’t expect Beryl to impact the U.S., but warn residents to not let down their guard.
“Direct impacts to the United States look unlikely; however, it is very important to note that if the high pressure across the Southeast weakens, that can allow the storm to move farther north and potentially directly impact the Gulf Coast,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva said.
Elsewhere, Invest 94L, a low pressure system over the southern portion of the Bay of Campeche is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear conducive for further development, and a short-lived tropical depression could form before the system moves inland over Mexico on Monday morning. The NHC gives Invest 94L a 50% chance to develop into a named storm over the next 48 hours.
A system in the Eastern Tropical Atlantic, located several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, is producing an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear conducive for development, and a tropical depression could form by the middle of next week. The NHC gives it a 40% chance of development in the next 48 hours and a 70% chance to develop over the next week.
If either of these systems develops, the next named storm will be Chris.
Hurricane Beryl: What you need to know
Watches, warnings issued across Florida
For an explanation of what the watches and warnings mean, scroll to the bottom of this story.
Hurricane warning: A hurricane warning is in effect for the following:
Tropical Storm Warning: A tropical storm warning is in effect for the following:
Tropical storm watch: A tropical storm watch is in effect for the following:
How strong is Hurricane Beryl and where is it going?
Spaghetti models for Hurricane Beryl
Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.
Key messages from the National Hurricane Center: What you need to know about Hurricane Beryl
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Beryl is expected to be an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane when it reaches the Windward Islands early Monday, bringing destructive hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge. Hurricane Warnings are in effect for much of the Windward Islands.
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Heavy rainfall and localized flooding is expected across the Windward Islands on Sunday night and Monday.
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Interests in the central and western Caribbean should monitor the progress of this system. Users are reminded that there is large uncertainty at days 4 and 5 and to not focus on the specific details of the track or intensity forecast.
Current forecast: Where is Hurricane Beryl going and how strong could it get?
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12 hours: 115 mph
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24 hours: 130 mph
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36 hours: 130 mph
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48 hours: 125 mph
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60 hours: 120 mph
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72 hours: 115 mph
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96 hours: 105 mph
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120 hours: 100 mph
What impact could Hurricane Beryl have and what areas could be affected?
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WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning area beginning early on Monday. Devastating wind damage is expected where the eyewall of Beryl moves through portions of the Windward Islands. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the tropical storm warning area starting late tonight, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area starting late tonight. Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.
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STORM SURGE: A life-threatening storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 6 to 9 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore flow near where Beryl makes landfall in the hurricane warning area. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
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RAINFALL: Hurricane Beryl is expected to produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches across Barbados and the Windward Islands tonight and Monday. This rainfall may cause flash flooding in vulnerable areas.
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SURF: Large swells generated by Beryl are expected across Windward and southern Leeward Islands during the next couple of days. These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
Interactive map: What tropical storms, hurricanes have impacted your area in the past?
What do the watches and warnings from NHC mean?
What is storm surge? Graphics explain the deadly weather event
Hurricane warning: A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
Hurricane watch: A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
Tropical storm warning: A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
Tropical storm watch: An announcement that sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within the specified area within 48 hours in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post-tropical cyclone.
Storm surge warning: A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.
Storm surge watch: A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Hurricane Beryl: Category 3 storm headed toward Caribbean
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