'Dangerous' Hurricane Beryl stalks Caribbean
Beryl has strengthened from a tropical storm into a Category 4
![Man boards up shop window in Bridgetown, Barbados, before Hurricane Beryl](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TeJTUGXJhcKDHX3fA7KkzE-415-80.jpg)
What happened
Hurricane Beryl strengthened from a tropical storm on Saturday to a "very dangerous" Category 4 hurricane by Sunday evening, threatening Caribbean islands with "life-threatening winds and storm surges," the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Beryl's unusually rapid intensification so early in the season was due largely to ocean waters 3 to 4 degrees warmer than usual for this time of year.
Who said what
Hurricane researchers have warned for months that the 2024 season "could be one for the record books, and now it is," The Washington Post said. The earliest Atlantic hurricane to reach Category 4 previously was Hurricane Dennis on July 8, 2005.
Beryl is an "extremely dangerous and rare hurricane for this time of year in this area," hurricane expert Michael Lowry said to The Associated Press. "Unusual is an understatement."
What next?
Beryl is expected to hit the Windward Islands — Grenada, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia and St. Vincent — early Monday and slowly weaken to a tropical depression near the Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday night. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted in May that the Atlantic will see an "above normal" 17 to 25 named storms this year, versus 14 in an average season.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Paloma recipe: the cocktail of the summer
The Week Recommends This refreshing drink balances the fresh and fizzy taste of grapefruit soda with a subtle flavour of smooth tequila
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Mushroom edibles are tripping up users
the explainer The psychedelics can sometimes have questionable components
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Prisons are simply not prepared for extreme heat
Under the radar Inmates are at severe risk of heat-related illness
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Prisons are simply not prepared for extreme heat
Under the radar Inmates are at severe risk of heat-related illness
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Sweltering heat wave hits much of the United States
Speed Read An excessive heat warning was in effect for 10% of the country's population
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Hippos can fly, briefly
Speed Read When hippos get moving, all four feet leave the ground for about 15% of their stride cycles
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
1300 Hajj pilgrims died in scorching Saudi heat
Speed Read The faithful faced extreme temperatures at Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Earth broke heat records 12 months straight
Speed Read As global temperatures surpass past measurements, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres calls for action to prevent ‘climate hell’
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Hawaii's Kilauea erupts in area calm since 1974
Speed Read The Big Island volcano is one of the world's most active
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
At least 23 dead in weekend of severe storms
Speed Read Extreme weather hit Texas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Virginia hard
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Welcome to summer without El Niño
The Explainer Temperatures may be cooler. But not by much.
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published