Hurricane Beryl Intensifies Before Weakening Slightly

Summary:
Hurricane Beryl reached Category 5 intensity on Tuesday morning before weakening to Category 4. It is expected to remain a major hurricane as it moves through the central Caribbean, potentially impacting Jamaica on Wednesday. Beryl is the earliest Category 5 hurricane recorded in the Atlantic, surpassing the previous record set by Hurricane Emily in 2005. The hurricane initially reached Category 4 status on Sunday, breaking another record set by Hurricane Dennis in 2005.
As of Tuesday, Beryl’s winds had decreased to 155 mph from a peak of 165 mph. A tropical storm warning is in effect for parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, while hurricane warnings have been issued for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
Beryl is the third earliest major hurricane to form in the Atlantic, following Alma in 1966 and Audrey in 1957. Grenada experienced significant damage, with power outages and structural damages reported on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Nearby islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines also suffered severe destruction.
Forecasters predict a highly active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimating 17 to 25 named storms, above the average of 14.