The hurricane season’s first named storm, tropical Storm Beryl officially strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane yesterday afternoon, becoming the first of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) indicating that further rapid intensification is expected.
The region is bracing for Hurricane Beryl, which is expected to bring “life-threatening winds and storm surge” to the Windward Islands, from Grenada to Martinique, and Barbados tonight through Sunday. Forecasters said that Beryl will be near the area as a major Category 3 hurricane, passing north of Tobago Saturday night into Sunday morning. The NHC said: “Devastating wind damage is expected where the eyewall of Beryl moves through portions of the Windward Islands.”
Across the mountainous terrain of Grenada, St Vincent, and St Lucia, the NHC warned, “Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 per cent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.”
The centre of Beryl is forecast to remain north of T&T, with the country remaining on the “weaker” side of the system, however, with a tropical storm warning in place for Tobago, this means tropical storm conditions, with sustained winds of 63 KM/H to 118 KM/H are expected within 36 hours. For Trinidad, the Met Office said, “At this time, the system poses no direct threat to Trinidad, as the probability for tropical storm conditions is low.”
Sat, Jun 29, 2024 8:00 PM to Mon, Jul 1, 2024 12:00 PM
Tobago is presently under a Tropical Storm Warning. This means there is a higher potential for tropical storm conditions, including sustained winds of 63-118 km/h, within the watch area, within the next 30 hours. As of 5 am today, Hurricane Beryl was located near 10.7°N 53.1°W, approximately 828km E of Tobago, moving westward near 33 km/h. As Beryl approaches the southern Windwards on Monday, there is a medium chance (45-55%)of tropical storm force winds impacting Tobago. Heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely from Monday, and sea conditions can become choppy and rough. The next update will be at 8 am today (Sunday 30th June 2024) or earlier if necessary.
As at Saturday 29th June, 2024 (8:00pm) Barbados, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and St Lucia were placed under a hurricane warning, while Tobago and Martinique were under a tropical storm warning. Dominica remained under a tropical storm watch. By Sunday forecasters say Beryl will have maximum sustained winds of 180 km/h with higher gusts.
The NHC said, “Hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning area beginning Sunday night. Hurricane conditions are possible in the hurricane watch areas on Sunday night or Monday morning.
- A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected in the specified area within 36 hours.
- A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible in the specified area within 48 hours.
- A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area within 36 hours and that people should complete all storm preparations, including evacuations if directed by local officials.