Dangerous Hurricane Beryl continues to break records

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Hurricane Beryl continues to thrive over the Caribbean Sea Tuesday afternoon.

So far this season, there have been three named tropical systems Alberto, Beryl, and Chris.

Beryl has become the earliest category-five hurricane on record in the Atlantic Basin. The previous record stood for nearly two decades by Hurricane Emily. Along with becoming the earliest category-five on record Beryl is now the second strongest category-five hurricane on record.

Beryl rapidly intensified from a tropical depression to a category-four hurricane in 48 hours. The rapid intensifiction was supported by the near-record breaking water temperatures and weak wind shear; rotation in the winds going up in height. The weaker the wind shear the further and faster a storm is able to intensify.

During July tropical systems have the greatest chance of development in the Western Atlantic and Gulf Of Mexico. Those bodies of water are typically warmer than the Central Atlantic Ocean.

The World Meteorological Organization says that Beryl’s intensity this early in the season is unprecidented for late June-early July. The organization also mentions that the catasprohic tropical system sets an alarming precident for what is to come this season.

Contributions to a very active hurricane season:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its forecast for the 2024 season. NOAA is forecasting 17 to 25 named storms this season, 8 to 13 of which could be hurricane-strength. 4 to 7 could be major hurricanes. Forecasters have 70 percent confidence in these ranges.

Forecasters at NOAA have given the season an 85 percent chance of being above normal. The development of La Niña over the Pacific Ocean will support lower wind shear leading to a more favorable environment for tropical systems. Warm sea-surface temperatures and a high ocean heat content will also favorable tropical formation.

Hurricane forecasters also analyzed the potential for an above-normal West African monsoon season. The enhanced monsoon season will assist development and provide deeper moisture content for long-lived tropical systems.

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