A hurricane warning was in effect for the island of Barbados, while a hurricane watch was in effect for Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. Beryl was expected to move northwest through the Caribbean this week, eventually passing through Jamaica and approaching southern Mexico.
Researchers have predicted a particularly busy hurricane season. Beryl’s early arrival made it one of few storms in history to have formed in the region this early in the year, the Hurricane Center said.
On Saturday, Beryl was centered about 700 miles east-southeast of Barbados, moving west at 22 mph with winds of up to 75 mph. The storm was benefiting from favorable conditions, including very warm water, Brennan said.
“The storm has been on a steady strengthening trend since it formed yesterday,” the Hurricane Center wrote in an early afternoon update, “and now that its structure is more symmetric and compact, it likely will have an opportunity to rapidly intensify.”
Beryl is expected to bring 3 to 6 inches of rain to Barbados and the Windward Islands.
In a recorded address on Friday, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley urged residents to prepare for the storm and protect each other.
“The reality is that we are not in a position to know exactly what type of weather we are going to face, but we know we are going to face some weather,” she said. “And you and I know that when these things happen, it is better to plan for the worst and pray for the best.”
Matthew Cappucci contributed to this report.
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