MIAMI, FLORIDA – The National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Beryl reached Category 2 status in the North Atlantic Ocean in the early hours of Sunday Eastern time. The hurricane boasted sustained wind speeds of 100 miles per hour, marking it as the second named storm to form in the Atlantic in 2024.

As the storm approached, experts utilized satellite imagery to assess its strength, size, and cohesion. The development of an eye in the center of the storm indicated its intensification. The symmetrical appearance of the eye suggested that the storm was not facing conditions that would weaken it.

This season followed an exceptionally active year, with a total of 20 named storms, surpassing the annual average. Despite the expectation of a suppressed hurricane season due to the El Niño pattern, warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic defied this projection in 2023. The absence of El Niño allowed for the formation and intensification of storms, with only one hurricane, named Idalia, making landfall in the United States.

Forecasters anticipate an increase in storm activity this year due to warmer ocean temperatures at the start of the season. The weakening of the El Niño pattern from the previous year is also contributing to a more conducive environment for storm formation.

The absence of El Niño increases the likelihood of storm formation, as it reduces wind shear that can disrupt a storm’s development. This favorable environment may lead to the formation of strong cyclones with towering cloud structures necessary for sustaining powerful storms.

To aid in tracking the progress of Hurricane Beryl, the National Hurricane Center provided a variety of resources, including tracking maps and data on wind speeds. These tools are essential for predicting the path and intensity of the storm as it moves through the North Atlantic Ocean.