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Hurricane Beryl eyes Jamaica, expected to bring potentially deadly winds, storm surge

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Updated  July 3, 2024 11:10am EDT
Hurricanes
FOX 35 Orlando

Hurricane Beryl brings rip current risks to Florida

As Hurricane Beryl makes its way across the Caribbean and into the southwest Gulf of Mexico this week, the storm is likely to bring rip current risks to Florida beaches. Here's the latest Hurricane Beryl forecast and track.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Hurricane Beryl is expected to pass over Jamaica on Wednesday, with forecasts indicating it will be at or near major strength, the National Hurricane Center said. 

The historic Category 4 storm is set to bring the area potentially deadly winds and storm surge before it approaches the Cayman Islands on Wednesday night or early Thursday. 

As of the 11 a.m. advisory, Beryl is located about 75 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. It has a maximum sustained winds of 145 mph and a minimum central pressure of 954 millibars. 

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"On the forecast track, the center of Beryl will pass near or over Jamaica during the next several hours," the NHC said. "After that, the center is expected to pass near or over the Cayman Islands tonight or early Thursday and move over the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico Thursday night or early Friday."

2024 Atlantic hurricane season names, pronunciation guide

  • Alberto (al-BAIR-toe)
  • Beryl (BEHR-ril)
  • Chris (kris)
  • Debby (DEH-bee)
  • Ernesto (er-NES-toh)
  • Francine (fran-SEEN)
  • Gordon (GOR-duhn)
  • Helene (heh-LEEN)
  • Isaac (EYE-zik)
  • Joyce (joys)
  • Kirk (kurk)
  • Leslie (LEHZ-lee)
  • Milton (MIL-ton)
  • Nadine (nay-DEEN)
  • Oscar (AHS-kur)
  • Patty (PAT-ee)
  • Rafael (rah-fah-ELL)
  • Sara (SAIR-uh)
  • Tony (TOH-nee)
  • Valerie (VAH-lur-ee)
  • William (WILL-yum)

If all of a season's names are used, there is an alternate name list, which includes an additional 21 names. Those names for the Atlantic season include, Adria, Braylen, Caridad, Deshawn, Emery, Foster, Gemma, Heath, Isla, Jacobus, Kenzie, Lucio, Makayla, Nolan, Orlanda, Pax, Ronin, Sophie, Tayshaun, Viviana, and Will.

Forecasters predict busy 2024 hurricane season

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) handed down its official prediction for the season – its most ferocious yet. A record 17-25 named storms are anticipated, with 8 to 13 of them becoming hurricanes with winds of at least 74 mph. Seven of them could be considered major hurricanes. 

Colorado State University also shared its seasonal prediction, which is significant because it's the most extreme season they've ever forecast since releasing their predictions publicly in the 1990s, FOX 35 Storm Team Meteorologist Brooks Garner said.

This doesn't mean 23 tropical storms or 11 hurricanes will reach the United States or make landfall in Florida, as they can — and often do — curve away. But more storms do increase the chance of them possibly making landfall.

When does hurricane season end?

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. 

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