Share on LinkedIn

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Hurricane Beryl has been declared the strongest-ever hurricane in both the months of June and July, breaking the latest in a series of records as it causes widespread destruction in the Caribbean.

The already-deadly storm has reached a level of intensity so early in the hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, that no other hurricane has been able to reach before in this time period.

Beryl is the first ever Category 5 Atlantic hurricane in the month of June and the strongest in the month of July. The previous record was held by Hurricane Dennis, which slammed into Cuba as a Category 4 storm on July 8, 2005. Beryl is also the earliest “major” hurricane (Category 3 or higher) in 58 years. The last was Hurricane Alma, which reached Category 3 status on June 8, 1966.

Aside from its size, Beryl’s stunning pace is extremely fast, as well. The storm intensified from a tropical depression to a major hurricane in just 42 hours.

The main reason for the exceptional strength is due to unusually warm water temperatures for this time of the year. Typically, we see water temperatures this warm to fuel a Category 4 or 5 hurricane until around late August to early September.

This year’s hurricane season is expected to be exceptionally busy, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The agency predicted an 85% chance of an “above-normal” season earlier this year. The May outlook predicted between eight to 13 hurricanes for the 2024 season.