Hurricane Beryl explodes into a Category 5 storm with winds of 165 mph. Where does it go next?

According to the National Hurricane Center, at 2 a.m. Hurricane Beryl broke loose and strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane with winds of up to 165 mph (265 km/h).

And it just keeps getting worse.

When the storm made landfall on Carriacou Island at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 1, it was a Category 4 storm with winds of up to 150 mph (240 km/h).

➤ Follow Hurricane Beryl

➤ Track all active storms

Meteorologists say Beryl is expected to bring “life-threatening winds and storm surges to Jamaica later this week.”

The next significant landmass in Beryl’s path will be Jamaica on Wednesday,” AccuWeather Lead Tropical Meteorologist Alex DaSilva said. “Jamaica is likely to be at high risk to life and property on Wednesday.”

Factors affecting Beryl’s intensity include much warmer than historically average waters and wind shear, according to AccuWeather forecasters. If wind shear is strong enough, it can weaken tropical systems. Warm water helps storms develop and intensify.

According to DaSilva, water temperatures in early July are similar to the temperatures they usually have in late August and early September.

“Even if Beryl weakens somewhat during the second half of the week, it will remain a dangerous hurricane with the potential for torrential rain, flooding, mudslides, damaging winds, heavy seas and storm surges along and near its path,” AccuWeather said.

Hurricane Beryl sets record as earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded

Beryl quickly grew into a powerful hurricane.

The system quickly crossed the Atlantic Ocean and became a tropical depression Friday afternoon, a tropical storm late Friday night, and a hurricane about 24 hours later on Saturday.

By Sunday morning, Beryl had strengthened into a major Category 4 hurricane, with winds of up to 130 mph (209 km/h).

When the hurricane made landfall on Carriacou Island in Grenada at 11 a.m. Monday, it was a Category 4 storm with winds of up to 150 mph (240 km/h).

Twelve hours later it was a Category 5 storm with winds of up to 160 mph (257 km/h).

Three hours later, at 2 a.m. Tuesday, the wind had picked up again, with gusts reaching 165 mph (265 km/h).

According to Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger, this is the earliest Category 5 storm on record. “This is the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record, breaking Emily’s record set in 2005 by 15 days.”

Truchelut is partnering with USA TODAY Network-Florida to provide Florida residents with the latest storm information.

Spaghetti Models: Where is Hurricane Beryl Headed Next?

Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include a variety of forecasting tools and models, and not all are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the four or five best performing models to make its forecasts.

➤ Follow Hurricane Beryl

Will Hurricane Beryl Hit Florida?

AccuWeather meteorologists do not currently expect Beryl to have any impacts to Florida or the US, but are warning residents to remain alert.

“At this point, the most likely scenario is that the storm will move west toward Mexico. However, it is very important to note that if the high pressure in the Southeast weakens, the storm could move further north and potentially impact the Gulf Coast directly,” DaSilva said.

“If the high pressure system remains strong, Beryl will make landfall in Belize or Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula Thursday night or Friday,” said AccuWeather Chief Weather Forecaster Bernie Rayno.

“But if the high weakens a bit, Beryl could potentially take a more northwesterly course. In that case, it could avoid more land and reach the Gulf of Mexico as a formidable hurricane rather than a truncated tropical storm encountering more land.”

Because Beryl may veer more to the northwest upon arrival in the northwestern Caribbean, residents in the U.S., particularly along the Texas coast, should closely monitor the hurricane’s progress and meteorologists’ forecasts.

Beryl and July 4th: Could Hurricane Beryl affect your 4th of July plans in Florida?

Warnings and alerts issued across Florida

Hurricane Beryl: What You Need to Know

• Place: 445 miles east-southeast of Isla Beata, Dominican Republic; 775 miles east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica

• Maximum sustained wind: 165 mph

• Movement: West-northwest at 22 mph

• Busy: 935 mb

• Next warning: 05.00 am

Warnings and alerts issued for Hurricane Beryl

For an explanation of the meaning of the warnings and cautions, scroll to the bottom of this article.

Hurricane Warning: A hurricane warning is in effect for:

Tropical Storm Warning: A tropical storm warning is in effect for the following areas:

Hurricane Beryl ‘powerful’ Category 5 hurricane with winds of 165 mph

At 2:00 a.m., the center of Hurricane Beryl was located at 14.2 north latitude and 65.8 west longitude.

Beryl is moving west-northwest at 22 mph. Beryl is expected to continue moving rapidly west-northwestward over the next few days.

The center of Beryl is forecast to move quickly across the southeastern and central Caribbean today and is expected to pass near Jamaica on Wednesday.

Recent data from the NOAA Hurricane Hunters indicate that maximum sustained wind speeds have increased to near 165 mph (265 km/h), with higher gusts.

Beryl is a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.

Beryl’s strength is likely to fluctuate over the next day or so, but it is still expected to approach major hurricane intensity as it moves toward the central Caribbean and passes Jamaica on Wednesday.

The hurricane is expected to weaken further thereafter, though Beryl is expected to remain a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean.

Hurricane-force winds reach up to 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds reach up to 125 miles (200 kilometers).

How strong is Hurricane Beryl and where is it headed?

Key messages from the National Hurricane Center: What you need to know about Hurricane Beryl

• Beryl is expected to remain a powerful hurricane as it moves across the Caribbean Sea later this week. A hurricane warning is now in effect for Jamaica, where hurricane conditions are expected on Wednesday. A tropical storm warning is also in effect for the southern coast of Hispaniola.

• There is a chance of heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of Jamaica on Wednesday.

• Residents of the Cayman Islands, Belize, the Yucatan Peninsula, the rest of the northwestern Caribbean, and the southwestern Gulf of Mexico should monitor Beryl’s progress. Additional warnings and cautions will likely be needed on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Current Forecast: How Strong Will Hurricane Beryl Be?

• Currently: 165 mph

• 12 hours: 155 mph

• 24 hours: 145 mph

• 36 hours: 120 mph

• 48 hours: 177 km/h

• 60 hours: 100 mph

• 72 hours: 90 mph

• 96 hours: 65 mph

• 120 hours: 65 mph

What impact could Hurricane Beryl have and which areas could be affected?

• WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected to reach the coast of Jamaica within the warning area on Wednesday. Winds are expected to reach tropical storm strength early Wednesday morning, making outdoor preparations difficult or dangerous.

• STORM FLOOD: A storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 90 to 150 centimeters (3 to 5 feet) above normal tide levels in areas with onshore winds along Jamaica’s coast.

• RAINFALL: Hurricane Beryl is expected to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain in parts of Jamaica on Wednesday, with local highs of 12 inches. This rainfall could cause flash flooding in vulnerable areas. Rainfall from Beryl’s outer bands could affect parts of Hispaniola today through Wednesday, with 2 to 6 inches of rain possible.

• SURF: Large waves generated by Beryl will continue to move across the Windward and southern Leeward Islands over the next few days. Waves are also expected to reach the southern coasts of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola later today. These waves are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Interactive Map: Which tropical storms and hurricanes have hit your area in the past?

What do NHC warnings and alerts mean?

What is a storm surge? Graphical representation of the deadly weather phenomenon

Hurricane Warning: A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is usually issued 36 hours before the expected first tropical storm force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be completed as soon as possible.

Hurricane Warning: A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are possible within the warning area. A warning is usually issued 48 hours before the first expected tropical storm force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

Tropical Storm Warning: A tropical storm warning means that a tropical storm is expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning: An announcement that sustained wind gusts of 63 to 117 km/h are possible within 48 hours in the specified area, in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post-tropical cyclone.

Storm surge warning: A storm surge warning means that there is a risk of life-threatening flooding, caused by rising water moving inland from the shoreline, at the locations indicated. This is a life-threatening situation. People in these areas should take all necessary steps to protect life and property from rising water and the possibility of other hazardous conditions. Follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

Storm surge warning: A storm surge warning means that there is a chance of life-threatening flooding in the next 48 hours due to rising water flowing inland from the coastline at the specified locations.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Hurricane Beryl heads towards Jamaica as Category 5 storm