Weather experts warned that a new tropical storm in the Atlantic Ocean could develop into a hurricane and affect the Caribbean.

Based on the forecast, Tropical Storm Beryl had developed in the Atlantic Ocean and it was monitored to be tracking the Caribbean Sea. If this weather system continues to develop, this will become the first hurricane of this year.

effects of a hurricane
Getty Images/Matthew Stockman

Atlantic Hurricane Basin

The tropical storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, was just one of several disturbances that meteorologists have been monitoring across the Atlantic hurricane basin.

So far, meteorologists spotted Beryl in the tropical Atlantic less than 1,100 miles east-southeast of Windward Islands. They said that the tropical storm was not a threat to any landmasses during the next 36 hours.

Beryl is seen to strengthen over the next few days and become a hurricane as it continues to move towards the west direction. Due to this development, Hurricane or Tropical Storm Watches could be enforced by officials for some areas of that region within the next 24 hours.

Based on the weather track, the tropical storm could intensify into a hurricane before the Caribbean islands and it is expected to weaken on the later portion of next week.

Meteorologists noted that in most instances, the atmospheric environment is unfavorable for intensification in this portion of the Atlantic basin during the later portion of June.

However, they explained that the overall atmospheric and oceanic conditions have appeared to be conducive for continuous heightening of weather systems in the next few days.

Weather experts stated that Beryl could become one of the farthest east-forming hurricanes. In most cases, their systems usually wait until the Caribbean or the Gulf of Mexico to become a Category 1 storm based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Tropical Storm Conditions In Windward Islands

At present, some areas in the Windward Islands are seen to experience tropical storm conditions with heavy rains, gusty thunderstorms and rough seas as early as Sunday before the center's arrival.

Beryl may also track the westward direction across Central America later next week or turn northwestward and reach the western Gulf of Mexico next weekend.

If that happens, it would be a concern for most areas in the United States. Due to this, all interests in the Caribbean, Central America and the Gulf Coast of the US are urged to be vigilant towards the weather system's development.

Meanwhile, in the Atlantic basin, another tropical wave was forecasted to be approaching the Central America.

As it tracks the northwestward direction, the system is seen to have a medium chance of becoming a tropical depression before tracking the east-central Mexico on Sunday.

Moreover, it will interact significantly with the land, which may prevent development.

Still, torrential downpours and locally gusty thunderstorms are still expected from the northwestern Caribbean to the shores of Mexico in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico this weekend. Further, there will be flash floods and mudslides threats in hilly terrains.

Related Article: