Hurricane Beryl becomes 'potentially catastrophic' Category 5 storm with 160-mph winds
Cheryl McCloudHurricane Beryl strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane with 160-mph winds, according to the 11 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
Beryl made landfall on Carriacou Island with 150-mph winds, just short of a Category 5 storm, according to a special advisory at 11:10 a.m. from the National Hurricane Center.
The storm passed over the Windward Islands, bringing life-threatening winds and storm surge.
The "potentially catastrophic" hurricane is now in the eastern Caribbean.
Beryl's strength has flucuated all day. Sustained winds have dropped as low as 120 mph and as high as 160 mph by late Monday.
Beryl is a major hurricane, which is any hurricane that's Category 3 or higher. A Category 3 storm is one that has sustained winds of at least 111 mph. A Category 4 storm has winds of 130 to 156 mph.
Beryl is expected to bring "life-threatening and storm surge to Jamaica later this week."
Where is Carriacou Island?
Carriacou Island is located less than 30 miles northeast of Grenada, about 50 miles southwest of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The island is about 1,500 miles southeast of Miami.
Hurricane Beryl sets record as earliest Category 5 storm on record
Beryl wasted no time in growing into a powerful hurricane.
The system making its way quickly across the Atlantic became a tropical depression Friday afternoon, a tropical storm by late Friday night and a hurricane about 24 hours later on Saturday.
By Sunday morning, Beryl had strengthened into a major Category 4 hurricane, with winds of 130 mph.
During landfall on Carriacou Island in Grenada at 11 a.m. Monday, it was a Category 4 with 150-mph winds.
Twelve hours later, it was a Category 5 storm with 160-mph winds.
Its the earliest Category 5 storm on record, according to Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger. "This is the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record, beating Emily's record from 2005 by 15 days."
Truchelut works with the USA TODAY Network-Florida to provide the latest storm information Florida residents need.
Spaghetti models: Where will Hurricane Beryl go?
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.
Will Hurricane Beryl impact Florida?
AccuWeather meteorologists currently don't expect Beryl to impact Florida and 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.
"At this point, the most likely scenario is for the storm to move westward into Mexico. 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," DaSilva said.
Watches, warnings issued across Florida
Hurricane Beryl: What you need to know
- Location: About 510 miles east-southeast of Isla Beata, Dominican Republic; 840 miles east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica
- Maximum sustained winds: 160 mph
- Movement: West-northwest at 22 mph
- Pressure: 938 mb
- Next advisory: 2 a.m.
Watches and warnings issued for Hurricane Beryl
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:
- Jamaica
Tropical Storm Warning: A tropical storm warning is in effect for the following:
- South coast of Dominican Republic from Punta Palenque westward to the border with Haiti
- South coast of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Anse d'Hainault
Hurricane Beryl 'potentially catastrophic Category 5' storm
At 11 p.m., the center of Hurricane Beryl was located near latitude 13.8 North, longitude 64.9 West.
Beryl is moving toward the west-northwest near 22 mph. Beryl is forecast to continue moving rapidly west-northwestward during the next couple of days.
On the forecast track, the center of Beryl will move quickly across the southeastern and central Caribbean Sea tonight through Tuesday and is forecast to pass near Jamaica on Wednesday.
Recent data from the NOAA Hurricane Hunters indicates that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 160 mph, with higher gusts.
Beryl is now a potentially catastrophic Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Fluctuations in strength are likely during the next day or so, but Beryl is expected to still be near major hurricane intensity as its moves into the central Caribbean and passes near Jamaica on Wednesday.
Some more weakening is expected thereafter, though Beryl is forecast to remain a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles, from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles.
How strong is Hurricane Beryl and where is it going?
Key messages from the National Hurricane Center: What you need to know about Hurricane Beryl
- Beryl is forecast to remain a powerful hurricane as it moves across the Caribbean Sea later this week. A Hurricane Warning is now in effect for Jamaica, where hurricane conditions are expected on Wednesday. A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect for the south coast of Hispaniola.
- Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are possible over portions of Jamaica on Wednesday.
- Residents in the Cayman Islands, Belize, the Yucatan Peninsula, the remainder of the northwestern Caribbean, and the southwestern Gulf of Mexico should monitor the progress of Beryl. Additional watches and warnings will likely be required on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Current forecast: How strong is Hurricane Beryl expected to get?
- 12 hours: 155 mph
- 24 hours: 145 mph
- 36 hours: 120 mph
- 48 hours: 110 mph
- 60 hours: 100 mph
- 72 hours: 90 mph
- 96 hours: 65 mph
- 120 hours: 65 mph
What impact could Hurricane Beryl have and what areas could be affected?
- WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected to reach the coast on Jamaica within the warning area on Wednesday. Winds are expected to first reach tropical storm strength early on Wednesday, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
- Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area along the south coast of Hispaniola by late Tuesday.
- STORM SURGE: Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds along the immediate coast of Jamaica. Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 1 to 3 feet above ground level in areas of onshore winds along the southern coast of Hispaniola.
- RAINFALL: Hurricane Beryl is expected to produce rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches, with localized maxima of 12 inches, in portions of Jamaica on Wednesday. This rainfall may cause flash flooding in vulnerable areas. Rainfall from outer bands of Beryl may impact portions of Hispaniola Tuesday into Wednesday, with 2 to 6 inches of rain possible.
- SURF: Large swells generated by Beryl will continue across the Windward and southern Leeward Islands during the next couple of days. Swells are also expected to reach the southern coasts of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola late tonight into Tuesday. These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
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.