Hurricane Beryl now has a maximum sustained wind of 140kt -- CATEGORY 5.
Per NHC:
" This is the earliest Category 5 hurricane observed in the Atlantic basin on record, and only the second Category 5 hurricane to occur in July after Hurricane Emily in 2005."
"Much of the southeast #Caribbean is on alert as Beryl strengthens into the first #hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, with forecasters warning of a “very dangerous” Category 3 storm."
Tropical disturbance Invest 95L in the central Atlantic is likely to develop into Tropical Storm Beryl in the next 48 hours and evolve to Hurricane status in ~4 days.
For 2024, NOAA predicts a very high likelihood (85% chance) of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season with -
17-25 named storms (average is 14)
8-13 hurricanes (average 7)
4-7 major hurricanes (average 3)
The primary drivers -
La Niña caused reduction in wind shear over the Atlantic Basin
Above normal sea surface temps in the tropical Atlantic region
Hurricane Beryl continues to strengthen, now packing 85 mph winds.
Beryl has all the ingredients favorable for continued rapid intensification over the next 24 hours - low wind shear, deep layer moisture and over 28-29 C sea-surface temperatures. Some weakening is forecast after 48 hours due to westerly vertical
wind shear.
Hurricane Beryl is strengthening more rapidly than NHC predictions. It is already a Cat 3 hurricane with wind speeds of 115 mph at 8:00 am EDT..
The Windward Islands (Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada) will feel its destructive force later tonight into tomorrow morning.
Max. winds are predicted at 130 mph in 24 hours; that number will very likely be updated upwards.
An AF and a NOAA recon aircraft have reached Hurricane Beryl and are making measurements, as they crisscross through and around the eye of the hurricane.
Both aircraft have measured wind speeds of 125 mph. See graphs below from the AF300 mission.
Alberto, the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic #hurricane season on Wednesday, is bringing gusty winds and storm surge to southern Texas. A level 3 of 4 risk of flooding is in place for parts of the state, including Corpus Christi.
Jewell Baggett, 51, sits on a bathtub amid the wreckage of the home built by her grandfather, where she grew up and three generations of her family lived, and which Hurricane Idalia had reduced to rubble, in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, August 30, 2023. "Mama didn't have much, but God dammit, it was hers," Jewell said. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
Check on the health of the trees around your house, and batten down the hatches.
"NOAA is forecasting a range of 17 to 25 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 8 to 13 are forecast to become #hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 4 to 7 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). Forecasters have a 70% confidence in these ranges."
"The Atlantic #hurricane season, which lasts from June to November, has recorded above average activity for eight consecutive years, WMO said.
"Early warnings have helped save lives," Nullis said.
Between 1970 and 2021, #TropicalCyclones -- which include hurricanes -- were the leading cause of reported human and economic losses worldwide, according to WMO."
She is not only representing Israel but in my opinion all that is good in this world. It should only be about the performance in such a contest but some in the world have made it all about hating someone simply because of who they are.
Eden has made us all proud, carrying herself with such grace, beauty, professionalism , and bravery. To perform as wonderfully as she has while facing death threats speaks for itself.
It could well be a blockbuster #hurricane season, and that’s not a good thing
"Although not quite literally, the Atlantic Ocean is on fire right now.
Klotzbach and his team foresee an exceptionally busy season in the Atlantic basin, which encompasses the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico."
DeSantis:
"Knock on wood."
Followed by:
"Thoughts and prayers" ??
"#Florida’s #insurance crisis: #DeSantis says ‘knock on wood’ during #hurricane season.
Insurers will return to Florida after hurricane season, DeSantis says"
"The governor said last year that #CitizensInsurance was unfortunately undercapitalized and that the company could go belly up if they actually had to weather a storm."
Here is an interview with the CEO of a #Louisiana#insurance company. Of their $ 445 M loss since Katrina, 90% is covered by re-insurance (but the re-insurance premiums have skyrocketed). And Louisiana has a cap on homeowners' #premiums.
As in Florida, there is the Louisiana Citizens Insurance (where the taxpayer bears the risk).
Basically they're all just praying for a quiet #hurricane season. Meanwhile the Gulf is like a hot tub.