Beryl Now Category 5 with Top Winds 160 mph

Beryl continues to strengthen tonight. Top winds are 160, making it a dangerous category 5 hurricane.

It is located 710 miles east southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. Moving west northwest at 22 mph.

Central pressure is 938 mb. Central dense overcast is expanding and cooling indicating strengthening. There is definitely a lot of lightning around the eyewall another indication of a strengthening storm.

Tropical storm force winds will reach the southern parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti Tuesday night. They will reach Jamaica by early Thursday morning. Strong tropical storm force winds (58 mph or greater) will affect the island during the early afternoon. Hurricane force winds are possible across parts of the island then as well. A hurricane watch has been issued for Jamaica.

The official track carries the center of the storm south of the Cayman Islands, but that could change. They will most assuredly receive tropical storm force winds on Thursday, and perhaps hurricane force winds. The storm is forecast to weaken to 100 mph or less by Thursday.

Tropical storm force winds will reach the Yucatan Friday night with strong tropical storm and hurricane winds after midnight. The storm will emerge into the southwestern Gulf Friday evening, a shell of its former self.

The NHC track carries it toward northeast Mexico. The HWRF model carries it to near 25n/93.5W Saturday evening, heading toward the Texas Coast. That is just one possibility.

Category: ALL POSTS, Tropical