Hurricane Beryl Sees Record-breaking Sea Temperatures at the Start of the Season

Hurricane Beryl has become the first Category 5 hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, with record-breaking ocean temperatures fueling a dangerous hurricane season. Climate change and warm water temperatures are causing tropical storms to intensify quickly, leading to catastrophic damage. Hurricane Beryl is the earliest Category 5 hurricane recorded in the Atlantic, hitting Jamaica with winds of up to 156 mph.

The Caribbean island of Jamaica is bracing for the impact of Hurricane Beryl, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness urging residents to prepare for heavy rain and strong winds. The storm is expected to weaken as it moves over land, affecting other areas such as the Cayman Islands, Belize, and the Yucatan Peninsula. Beryl is the strongest storm to hit the southeastern Caribbean in 20 years.

Regional leaders in the Caribbean are calling for better financing to protect communities from worsening climate change. The annual hurricane season in the Atlantic typically runs from June to November, with warmer waters fueling the formation of tropical storms. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting an exceptional 2024 Atlantic season with a higher number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes.

Source .