Witness the power of Hurricane Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, as it rampages through the Caribbean, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. From Grenada to the Windward Islands, this storm has grown in strength and is now heading towards Jamaica and Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula like a menacing buzzsaw.
Breaking records left and right, Beryl became a Category 4 hurricane on June 30, making it the earliest on record to achieve such status. Within a day, it escalated even further, reaching Category 5 status with sustained winds of approximately 270 kilometers per hour, setting yet another record. Despite a slight weakening, Beryl remains a formidable Category 4 storm as it approaches Jamaica.
What fuels Beryl’s ferocity? The answer lies in the superheated waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Scientists had predicted a hyperactive hurricane season for 2024 due to unprecedented ocean heat and the impending La Niña phase of the ENSO climate pattern. The rapid intensification of Beryl has left experts in awe, showcasing the sheer power of nature’s forces.
Atmospheric scientist Brian McNoldy from the University of Miami sheds light on hurricanes, ocean heat, and what lies ahead for the Atlantic season. The images of Beryl captured by satellites are nothing short of mesmerizing, highlighting the swift transformation of the storm into a formidable force of nature. Stay tuned for more updates on this remarkable phenomenon.
2024-07-02 16:47:23
Source from www.sciencenews.org