AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Weather Tropical Storms & Hurricanes Hurricane Beryl

Hurricane Beryl, a tiny storm over the south-central Atlantic, is projected to take a path over the northern Caribbean.

As of early Saturday morning, Beryl was moving west-northwestward at about 14 mph (22 km/h) and had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h).

Beryl is entering a zone of conditions that are likely to inhibit its further strengthening.

"Because of the small size of Beryl and anticipated weakening, widespread wind damage is not expected," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Jake Sojda.

However, there will be some risk to lives and property along the storm's path. People should take precautions.

"Beryl, the second tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, and the first classified as a hurricane is heading toward the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and will approach Puerto Rico on Monday," said Dr. Joel Myers, founder, president and chairman of AccuWeather. "While the storm is expected to weaken by the time it reaches Puerto Rico and probably will not be a hurricane, but a weak tropical storm, it still will carry significant moisture, resulting in general rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches. However, there is likely to be local spots that get up to 6 inches of rain, which could cause local flooding."

"As we know, Puerto Rico was hard hit last year by Hurricanes Irma and then Maria, and the island is still recovering," Myers added. "Again, this amount of rain is significant because the infrastructure of Puerto Rico was so damaged last year. Any heavy rainfall is capable of causing flash flooding. This is particularly true in the places that get heavy downpours, particularly low lying and poor drainage areas, and heavy rain, of course, can always trigger dangerous mudslides. Residents of these areas should take precautions to stay safe and out of harm's way."

Heavy rain can occur even if Beryl sweeps near or just south of Puerto Rico, a track which latest indications are pointing toward.

Accuweather

Beryl Significantly Weaker

Tiny Hurricane Beryl suffered a significant disruption to its core on Saturday morning, resulting in the collapse of its eyewall and the loss of most of its heavy thunderstorms. Satellite images on Saturday morning showed Beryl's circulation center was exposed to view, with just one clump of heavy thunderstorms on the southeast side of the center. That's the classic appearance of a storm undergoing wind shear, and it is likely that strong mid- to upper-level winds out of the northwest have been driving dry air into Beryl's circulation, disrupting the storm.

Beryl is expected to weaken, if not dissipate, over the Caribbean later this week and may no longer be an organized tropical system once it reaches Hispaniola on Tuesday. Despite this weakening, Beryl can still bring localized flooding downpours to mainly southern Puerto Rico and most of Hispaniola. Interests from the Lesser Antilles through Puerto Rico and Hispaniola should monitor the progress of Beryl closely.

For more information, check the daily Tropical Weather Outlook, click here.