Hurricane Beryl batters the Caribbean islands

The Atlantic Basin usually doesn’t see its first major hurricane until around September 1. But, as its wind gusted to 160 mph overnight on July 1, 2024, Beryl became the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record. Experts say Beryl has been super-charged by warm seas.

And, as of Wednesday morning, July 3, Beryl was continuing its westward sweep through the Atlantic Basin. The storm tore across Grenada, leaving devastation in its wake. Jamaica and the Cayman Islands are next in the path of the hurricane. Beryl is currently a category 4 hurricane. Watch live as the storm comes ashore on Jamaica.

Here are the Key Messages for #Hurricane #Beryl for 5a EDT Wed – The full advisory is https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ pic.twitter.com/cGVE5BaXEt

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) July 3, 2024

A record-setting hurricane

Here are some of the notable records Hurricane Beryl has set.

• Beryl formed farther east than any other June hurricane since the mid-1800s, when record-keeping began.
• It moved from tropical depression status into a Category 3 hurricane in less than 48 hours, something that’s never happened before earlier than September (since record-keeping began).
• Overall, Hurricane Beryl became the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record for June, beating out Hurricane Audrey in 1957.

Beryl in social media

NOAA's Hurricane Hunters flew around and inside the eye of Category 5 Hurricane #Beryl on Tuesday July 2nd to collect data for forecasting and research. Can you imagine doing this for your job??? We all benefit. Visit https://t.co/dC8ki7lTh8 for the latest on #HurricaneBeryl. pic.twitter.com/UOucwDeN52

— UW-Madison CIMSS (@UWCIMSS) July 3, 2024

We flew right over the top of Hurricane Beryl today. Peering down into the eye with the 50 to 500 mm lens gave me both an eerie feeling and a high level of weather nerd excitement.

Whole Hurricane: 50mm, f9, ISO 1000, 1/32000
Eye: 210mm (50 to 500m lens), f13, ISO 1000, 1/26000 pic.twitter.com/731tEy0CJh

— Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) July 1, 2024

Ramos Manuel Carlos recorded this video of storm surge from Hurricane Beryl Tuesday morning. It's bringing coastal flooding to Puerto Rico. pic.twitter.com/AyUXjBC76x

— Channing Frampton (@Channing_TV) July 2, 2024

There have been 24 Atlantic storms in the Satellite Era (1966-present) which have gone through a >70kt rapid intensification within a 36-hour period. (Min start of 35kt)

All of those storms originally formed in Aug, Sep, Oct, or Nov.

Until Beryl.#Beryl is doing this in June.

— Steve Bowen (@SteveBowenWx) June 30, 2024

New: #Beryl is now a cat 5. Earliest cat 5 on record, beating Emily 2005 by 2 full weeks. Warmer water = higher octane fuel. Ocean heat content is now normal for late Aug-early Sept. https://t.co/SF3MBGZ5UN pic.twitter.com/PxqJhjKsXu

— Jeff Berardelli (@WeatherProf) July 2, 2024

Hurricane Beryl damage in Grenada

Bottom line: Hurricane Beryl has been churning across the Caribbean islands, leaving destruction in its wake. Jamaica and the Cayman Islands are next in its path.

Read more: 2024 Atlantic hurricane outlook and list of names