Bridgetown, Barbados – Tropical Storm Beryl has rapidly gained strength in the central Atlantic, posing a potential hurricane threat to the Windward Islands. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is closely monitoring the system, which has transitioned from a tropical depression to a tropical storm and is expected to reach hurricane status by the weekend.

As Beryl continues to intensify, the Windward Islands, particularly Barbados and Grenada, are on high alert for potential impacts. With sustained wind speeds exceeding 50 mph, the cyclone is forecasted to become the first hurricane of the 2024 season.

Located less than 1,000 miles east-southeast of the Windward Islands, Beryl is currently not a direct threat to any landmass. However, projections suggest that the storm will approach the southern parts of the Windward Islands by Monday.

Anticipated to strengthen further, Beryl could bring not only hurricane-force winds but also heavy rainfall to the affected islands, potentially causing localized flooding. Additionally, the cyclone’s presence is expected to generate life-threatening surf and rip currents in the island chain.

While the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are the closest American territories to the storm’s path, they are currently not under any watch. However, experts caution that it is too early to determine whether Beryl will pose a threat to the continental U.S.

In the Atlantic, another disturbance east of Beryl and Invest 94L near Central America are being monitored for potential development. The former could see slow organization in the coming days, while the latter is projected to bring heavy rainfall to Central America and southern Mexico.

With the hurricane season well underway, residents in the affected regions are advised to stay informed about these weather systems and prepare for possible impacts. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation continues to evolve.