A hurricane warning was issued. A hurricane warning has been issued for Barbados, and hurricane watches have been issued for Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. Beryl is expected to move northwest across the Caribbean this week, eventually passing Jamaica before approaching southern Mexico.
Researchers expect this year’s hurricane season to be particularly productive, and Beryl’s early arrival makes it one of only a few storms in history to form in the region this time of year, according to the National Hurricane Center.
On Saturday, Beryl was centered about 700 miles east-southeast of Barbados and moving westward with winds of 22 mph and maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. Brennan said the storm was experiencing favorable conditions, including very warm ocean waters.
“The storm has been steadily strengthening since forming yesterday,” the hurricane center said in an early afternoon update. “The storm’s structure is now more symmetric and compact, which could allow it to intensify rapidly.”
Beryl is expected to bring between 3 and 6 inches of rain. Barbados and the Windward Islands.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, in a recorded address on Friday, urged residents to prepare for the storm and protect each other.
“The reality is, we’re not in a position to know exactly what kind of weather we’re going to face, but we know we’re going to face some kind of weather,” she said, “and you and I both know that when these things happen, it’s best to plan for the worst and pray for the best.”
Matthew Cappucci contributed to this report.
