Hurricane Beryl continues to track west-northwestward across the western Caribbean, toward the Yucatán Peninsula.
Update 21:45:
Hurricane hunters have just determined that Beryl’s maximum sustained winds have increased again to Category 3, with winds gusting up to 257 kilometers (160 miles) southeast of Tulum as the hurricane approaches the Yucatan Peninsula.
Update 5:00 PM:
The wind speed is still 177 km/h, but the air pressure is increasing.
Beryl is expected to weaken to a Category 2 storm Thursday night and early Friday morning as it approaches the Yucatan.
Despite the wind shear, Beryl’s eye is better defined.
Hurricane hunters in the evening hours can predict whether Beryl will weaken further and whether the storm could weaken to a Category 1 before making landfall in the Yucatan on Friday morning, or whether it will remain a Category 2.
Update 2:00 PM:
Beryl has now been downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and is expected to approach the Yucatán region early tomorrow morning at hurricane strength.
Recent movement jogs a bit further north.
The Severe Weather Center 9 is also looking at whether the 5:00 PM track update will be moved.
Strong winds, a dangerous storm surge and devastating waves are expected along the coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula on Friday morning.
A hurricane warning is in effect for the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, from Puerto Costa Maya to Cancun, including Cozumel.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula south of Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal, and for the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula north of Cancun to Campeche.
Update from 11:00 am:
Hurricane Beryl is a weaker Category 3 storm.
The maximum wind speed was 185 km/h.
Beryl is expected to bring hurricane conditions to the Yucatan Peninsula beginning Thursday evening.
Original story:
Hurricane Beryl has weakened slightly.
As of 8am on Thursday morning, Beryl was still a Category 3 storm, with maximum winds of 120 mph (193 km/h).
On Wednesday, Beryl caused extensive damage in parts of Jamaica with winds of up to 225 km/h.
READ: Kingston goes into lockdown as Hurricane Beryl approaches
Jamaican officials say the effects could last and cause further flooding and mudslides.
The storm has so far killed at least seven people in the Caribbean.
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Meteorologist Kassandra Crimi said Beryl will weaken further as it passes the Cayman Islands on Thursday and heads toward the Yucatan Peninsula this weekend.
Early next week, the Texas-Mexico coastline is likely to see some impact from Beryl, possibly as a Category 1 storm.
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Channel 9’s meteorological team continues to monitor Hurricane Beryl’s path and will provide updates via television and here on WFTV.com.
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