Hurricane Beryl, the first named hurricane of the 2024 season, is rapidly gaining strength in the Atlantic Ocean. Forecasters are concerned that this storm has the potential to develop into a Category 3 hurricane as it moves from the Caribbean into the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days.

The Caribbean islands of Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, and Martinique are bracing themselves as Hurricane Beryl is expected to make landfall late on Sunday. National Hurricane Center forecasters have issued warnings of "hurricane-force" winds, "life-threatening" storm surge, and heavy rainfall as the storm approaches the Windward Islands, which are located west of Barbados.

Beryl is the second named storm of the season, following Tropical Storm Alberto, which wreaked havoc in northeast Mexico on June 20, claiming the lives of four people. Barbados' meteorological service has already issued warnings of potential power outages and flash flooding, as the eye of the hurricane is expected to pass just 26 miles (45 km) south of the island. The storm is forecasted to dump around six inches (15 cm) of rain on Caribbean islands such as Barbados.

Barbados' Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley, expressed the uncertainties surrounding the weather conditions and the need to remain prepared. She is expected to provide further updates on Saturday evening.

This year's hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, is predicted to be particularly active, with forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warning of up to 25 named storms in 2024. Out of these, between eight and 13 storms could intensify into hurricanes, with four to seven potentially becoming Category 3 or more severe hurricanes. These figures are significantly higher than the average.

If Hurricane Beryl follows the predicted trajectory and strengthens into a Category 3 storm, it will mark one of the earliest arrivals of such a storm in the Atlantic, especially in the deep tropics. The emergence of such a powerful hurricane in June is causing surprise among meteorologists and experts.

In the previous hurricane season of 2023, there were a total of 19 named storms, highlighting the potential for an even more active season this year. As temperatures continue to rise, reaching up to 30°C in some areas, the public is being warned about potential health risks. US schools lacking or having limited air conditioning are allowing students to be dismissed during heatwaves.

While Hurricane Beryl is still several hundred miles away from the US Gulf Coast, its impact is being felt in Texas, where significant rainfall has already been recorded.

As Hurricane Beryl grows in strength and inches closer to the Caribbean islands, residents and authorities are advised to stay updated with the latest weather reports and to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.