The dangerous Major Hurricane Beryl is forecasted to reach the Windward Islands early Monday morning, bringing life-threatening winds and storm surge. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a detailed advisory indicating the hurricane's strength and projected path, urging residents to prepare immediately.
As of 5:00 a.m. AST, Hurricane Beryl was located near latitude 11.7 North and longitude 59.9 West, approximately 125 miles east-southeast of Grenada and 140 miles southeast of St. Vincent. The hurricane is moving west at 20 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, categorizing it as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Warnings and Watches in Effect
- Hurricane Warning: Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, Grenada, Tobago.
- Tropical Storm Warning: Martinique, Trinidad.
- Tropical Storm Watch: Dominica, South coast of the 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.
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area, typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within 36 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch indicates that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
Beryl is expected to bring devastating wind damage, especially in areas where its core moves through, with the highest risk in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles. Potentially catastrophic wind damage is expected in the warning areas starting early this morning.
A life-threatening storm surge could raise water levels by 6 to 9 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds near Beryl’s landfall. This surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are expected across Barbados and the Windward Islands, with localized maxima of 10 inches possible, especially in the Grenadines and Grenada, potentially causing flash flooding in vulnerable areas.
Marine Conditions in U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
The U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are preparing for deteriorating marine conditions starting Monday evening. The hurricane's center is projected to pass approximately 259 miles south of St. Croix and around 230 miles south of Cabo Rojo late Monday night through Tuesday. Despite staying well south of these areas, marine conditions will significantly deteriorate, with seas rising to 10-15 feet or more and winds reaching 25 knots or stronger near thunderstorms. Beryl's outer bands may bring squally weather, with rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches, and localized amounts between 2 and 4 inches, causing strong gusty winds and hazardous marine conditions.
The NHC is also monitoring an area of low pressure, designated as Invest 96L, located several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. This system has a 70% chance of formation over the next seven days and could approach the islands between late Wednesday night and Thursday.
Residents in the Lesser Antilles, Hispaniola, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and the remainder of the northwestern Caribbean should closely monitor the progress of Beryl. Additional watches or warnings may be issued today.
