NEWS: Tropical Storm Beryl in Atlantic Ocean Could Become a Hurricane by Sunday

The National Hurricane Center is predicting some severe weather over the next few days. Here’s what you need to know.

There could be bad weather headed for Florida

Meteorologists are monitoring a Tropical Storm currently in the Atlantic Ocean. Experts are predicting this storm could turn into a hurricane as it approaches land, so let’s take a look at the path of the storm.

The National Hurricane Center is tracking Tropical Storm Beryl. The storm formed east of the Windward Islands and is headed to the west. According to the map, experts predict the storm will be upgraded to a hurricane by Sunday, June 30th. For the storm to be classified as a hurricane, the wind speed must be between 74 MPH and 110 MPH, while the wind speed is between 39 MPH and 73 MPH in a Tropical Storm.

©NHC

If the storm continues to strengthen, it could be the year’s first hurricane, according to the Associated Press. Barbados issued a hurricane watch, and residents were warned that flash flooding and power outages may occur. Meteorologists predict that the storm will first become a Category 2 storm, then reach Barbados and nearby islands like Martinique, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

©NHC

Today, June 29th, Tropical Storm Beryl is approximately 890 miles east-southeast of Barbados. The National Hurricane Center expects Beryl to strengthen into a hurricane over the next few days.

Tropical Storm #Beryl Advisory 3A: Beryl Strengthening. Expected to Become a Hurricane Before it Reaches the Windward Islands. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) June 29, 2024

The National Hurricane Center is reporting on Beryl’s path through about Wednesday. The NHC notes that “Interests in the central and western Caribbean should monitor the progress of this system. Users are reminded that there is large uncertainty at days 4 and 5 and to not focus on the specific details of the track or intensity forecast.”

©NHC

According to Eric Burris, meteorologist for WESH News 2, this year, the Gulf of Mexico coastline (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida) is at a higher-than-usual risk of experiencing a hurricane. Additionally, the entire coast of South Florida is at an increased risk. We are currently in the early days of the 2024 the Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts from June 1st through November 30th.

©WESH

NEWS: As of 5:50PM ET, NBC News has reported that Tropical Storm Beryl has now become Hurricane Beryl. A hurricane warning has been issued for Barbados, and hurricane watches are in effect for Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada.

We’ll be sure to monitor the progress of this storm. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest travel news, so stay tuned for more.