Hurricane Beryl Breaks Records as It Threatens the Caribbean; How Does Rapid Intensification Fuels Climate-Driven Superstorm?

Beryl, the deadly hurricane that currently threatens the Caribbean, has already broken records over how early such a dangerous storm is forming over the Atlantic Ocean.

Record-Breaking Superstorm

Hurricane Beryl held more than that distinction of being the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, as it also made news as the latest Atlantic storm to rapidly intensify. It blew up from a mere tropical storm to the strongest June hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic.

Beryl developed on June 28 southeast of the Antilles and rapidly became a Category 1 storm the following day. Less than 24 hours later, it strengthened again into a major Category 4 storm, a feat that scientists never thought would happen since a hurricane of that magnitude had never been recorded in the Atlantic during June.

By July 1, Beryl became the earliest-ever Category 5 hurricane. Beryl made landfall with 150 mph wind and a destructive storm surge over the Grenadine Islands.

In a news briefing, Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said that Hurricane Beryl had brought heavy damage, especially to Carriacou and Petite Martinique. In just half an hour, Carriacou was laid flat.

On the 2nd of July, with the storm continuing to travel across the Caribbean Sea's length, hurricane warnings were issued for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy of the University of Miami said Hurricane Beryl is the furthest east any hurricane has ever formed this early in the year. Climate scientist Andra Garner from Rowan University said that waters in that part of the Atlantic are usually too cold to support hurricanes this time of year.

It is known that the hurricane season starts in the North Atlantic at the beginning of June and lasts until the end of November. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the main storms, category three and higher, usually form by the end of August or the beginning of September.

Beryl is setting a dangerous precedent for what was supposed to be an active hurricane season with threats across the whole basin. It also demonstrates the need for multi-hazard early warnings.

Effects of Rapid Intensification

Researchers are astounded at this very unusual formation and strength, with signs of the role that climate change could play in extreme weather events. The recent trend toward very rapid intensification really stands out behind Hurricane Beryl's explosive growth.

Rapid intensification is defined as at least a 35 mph increase in hurricane intensity within 24 hours. Hurricane Beryl blew this threshold out of the water, zooming from 70 mph-only tropical-storm strength to 130 mph overnight.

Warm water is one major ingredient for rapid intensification. That means ocean temperatures of greater than 80°F have to be available and extend over 150 feet below the surface. This provides a large, deep pool, almost like a reservoir of warm water, that furnishes energy to turbocharge a hurricane.

Scientists think that with climate change, warming oceans, and high ocean heat content, rapid intensification might be more common. Evidence has been found that the rapid intensification of storms is indeed increasing in the Atlantic.

Apart from having high ocean heat content, other conditions of the environment are also required for rapid intensification to happen. This includes low vertical wind shear and a moist atmosphere surrounding the storm.