Record-Breaking June- Beryl sets record for 2024 hurricane season

Beryl has set a record by becoming the first major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) to form east of the Caribbean in June, on record dating way back to 1851.

Climatologist Dale Destin notes in his latest blog that Beryl has also become the strongest June hurricane on record any place in the Atlantic Basin (including the Caribbean Seas and Gulf of Mexico), eclipsing Audrey of 1957.

Further, the system has become the earliest calendar Category 4 hurricane on record, supplanting Dennis of 2005, which reach Category 4 status on 8 July.

Additionally, Beryl will also become the first major June hurricane to impact the Eastern Caribbean.

“Beryl is also the second hurricane ever to form in June between Africa and the Caribbean and the first since the Unnamed Hurricane of 1933.”.

“Additionally, Beryl will become the first major hurricane to pass south of Barbados since Ivan of 2004 and the second ever to do so. She is likely to break Ivan’s record and become the strongest hurricane to travel at such a low latitude and impact the southern Caribbean”.

Destin said major hurricanes in June are rare. Before Beryl, there were only two others on record, Alma and Audrey. Both formed in the Gulf of Mexico.

“It is uncommon for a storm to form east of the Caribbean in June, with about a 3 percent chance or once every 33 years on average or once in a generation.”

It is even rarer for a hurricane to form east of the region in June, with about a 1 percent chance or roughly once every 100 years on average. Clearly, this has become a historic June too soon, from the old mariner’s poem, that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. This June is one for the history books! We have Destin said given the forecast for the season, this may be a harbinger of what’s to come.

He is encouraging residents to brace for a rough ride and hope for the best.

“As we go to July stand by, remember: you must be prepared! It only takes one hurricane to ruin your year or life”, Destin said.