Eyewall Of Beryl Brushing The South Coast Of Jamaica With Hurricane Conditions Occurring

Category 4 Hurricane

Tropics Forecast Cone at 7:29 Wednesday Evening, July 03rd

Location 65 miles WSW of Kingston Jamaica
Wind 140 mph
Heading WNW at 20 mph
Pressure 28.32
Coordinates 77.6W, 17.5N

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Discussion

At 500 PM EDT (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Beryl was located near latitude 17.5 North, longitude 77.6 West. Beryl is moving toward the west-northwest near 20 mph (31 km/h), and this general motion should continue through this evening, followed by a turn more toward the west tonight or Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of Beryl will pass near or over the southern coast of Jamaica during the next few hours. After that, the center is expected to pass near or over the Cayman Islands tonight or early Thursday and move over the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico Thursday night or early Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts. Beryl is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some weakening is forecast during the next day or two. However, Beryl is forecast to be at or near major hurricane intensity while it passes the Cayman Islands. Additional weakening is expected thereafter, though Beryl is forecast to remain a hurricane until it makes landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km). Kingston, Jamaica, recently reported sustained winds of 48 mph (78 km/h) and a wind gust of 81 mph (130 km/h).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 959 mb (28.32 inches).

Tropics Satellite at 7:30 Wednesday Evening, July 03rd

Watches and Warnings

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The Tropical Storm Warning has been discontinued for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for, * Jamaica * Grand Cayman * Little Cayman and Cayman Brac * The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Puerto Costa Maya to Cancun

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for, * The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico south of Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal * The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico north of Cancun to Cabo Catoche

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for, * The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico south of Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal * The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico north of Cancun to Cabo Catoche

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for, * Coast of Belize from south of Chetumal to Belize City * The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico west of Cabo Catoche to Campeche

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Interests elsewhere in the northwestern Caribbean Sea and the western Gulf of Mexico, including southern Texas, should closely monitor the progress of Beryl.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service.

Tropics Models at 7:29 Wednesday Evening, July 03rd

Land Hazards

Key messages for Beryl can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT2 and WMO header WTNT42 KNHC.

WIND: Hurricane conditions are spreading across portions of Jamaica at this time, especially along the southern coast and in the mountainous areas. Tropical storm conditions are occurring elsewhere on the island.

Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.

Hurricane conditions are expected to reach the Cayman Islands tonight or early Thursday. Winds are expected to first reach tropical storm strength late this afternoon or early tonight, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

Hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning area on the Yucatan Peninsula Thursday night or early Friday morning. Winds are expected to first reach tropical storm strength by late Thursday, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

Hurricane conditions are possible in the hurricane watch area along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula as early as late Thursday.

Tropical storm conditions are expected in the tropical storm warning area in the tropical storm warning area of the Yucatan Peninsula by late Thursday.

Tropical storm conditions are possible in the tropical storm watch area along portions of the coast of Belize by late Thursday or early Friday, and in the tropical storm watch area along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula by Friday.

STORM SURGE: Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 6 to 9 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds along the immediate coast of Jamaica.

Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds along the immediate coast of the Cayman Islands.

Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 4 to 6 feet above ground level in areas of onshore winds along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula within the hurricane warning area.

Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

RAINFALL: Beryl is expected to produce rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches with localized amounts of 12 inches across Jamaica through Wednesday evening, along with additional rainfall of 4 to 6 inches over the Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti. This heavy rainfall is expected to cause life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

Beryl is also expected to bring rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches over the Cayman Islands Wednesday night into Thursday. Over the Yucatan Peninsula into northern Belize, Beryl is expected to produce rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches with localized amounts of 8 inches late Thursday through Friday. Scattered instances of flash flooding are anticipated.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall and flash flooding associated with Hurricane Beryl, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at2.shtml?rainqpf

SURF: Large swells generated by Beryl are currently impacting the southern coasts of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and Jamaica. These swells are expected to reach the coasts of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, the Cayman Islands, and the south coast of Cuba this evening, and they are expected to reach the coasts of Honduras, Belize, and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico by midday Thursday. These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.


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