This hurricane, the first one in the Atlantic 2024 season, has become the earliest ever to reach Category 5 and currently it is at category four on its way to Jamaica. Consequently, Beryl is a sign that this year’s hurricane season will be dangerous as predicted by meteorologists due to record-breaking sea temperatures linked with human-made climate change and climatic cycles.
Understanding category five hurricanes
The Saffir-Simpson Scale’s highest ranking, category 5, comprises winds of 157 mph (252 kph) or higher. Homes may be completely destroyed in these storms and infrastructure ruined. In fact only thirty Category fives have been reported since 1960 by Atlantic hurricanes with the worst being experienced in 2005 when there were seven category five hurricanes including Hurricane Katrina.
The unprecedented early arrival of Beryl
Anne-Claire Fontaine who works as a scientific officer for the agency said that Beryl was able to develop quickly because it reached its highest recorded temperatures in Main Development Region (MDR). Scientists say that it is highly unlikely that there would have been a run of record high temperatures in the North Atlantic since last year unless manmade fossil fuel emissions were not responsible for global warming. The current water temperature needed for tropical storm intensification along north Caribbean coastal waters ranges from approximately 29.4°C (85°F).
Beryl’s projected path
Jamaica will experience up to twelve inches (30 cm) of rain courtesy of Beryl which is expected on Wednesday while DR and Haiti are also anticipated for possible direct hit along southern coast of Hispaniola. It should be noted that Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has already given a directive for people to buy what they need while reinforcing their homes. Haiti remains worse off especially as regards those who are internally displaced because of ongoing gang warfare. Hurricane normally lose strength over land but Cayman Islands, Belize and Mexico‘s Yucatan peninsula and Gulf Coast are also beryl’s current path.
Historical context and potential impact
The last time this part of the Caribbean was under such a severe threat was in 2004 when Hurricane Ivan caused massive destruction across the area. Beryl has already made its mark; fishing boats were shattered in Barbados, St Lucia experienced power outages while there have been reported deaths in Grenada and St Vincent. Consequently, as it approaches Jamaica at Category four level, Beryl is capable of causing extensive damage.
Call for international support
Caribbean leaders are calling for better financing options to protect their people against climate change impacts ahead of what is anticipated to be an extremely destructive hurricane season. This demand has been reinforced by these countries’ long-standing appeals that have demanded that rich nations and major polluters must meet their greenhouse gas emission targets as well as provide financial assistance on climate adaptation and even debt forgiveness. Nonetheless, a recent investigation showed that most of the climate aid meant for developing nations had been redirected towards rich countries.
The Atlantic Storm Season
This is a period running from June to November when there is an increased likelihood of tropical storms taking place due to warm ocean waters, moist air and strong winds. The Main Development Region (MDR), stretching from West Africa through the Caribbean and parts of Central and North America, proves particularly vulnerable to storm development. During a typical year, 14 named storms form with seven becoming hurricanes and another three transforming into major hurricanes. However, as water temperatures continue rising NOAA projects that for 2024, there will be “extraordinary” season featuring 17-25 named storms, 8 – 13 hurricanes and 4–7 major hurricanes in the United States.
