a satellite image of a hurricane
Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States.
Brian Cohen·
Weather
··7 min read

Jamaica is Next: Major Hurricane Beryl July 2024 Travel Alert

...and after Jamaica is the Cayman Islands — and then...

Jamaica is next in the path of major Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, which is the first major hurricane of the 2024 season. If Jamaica and the Cayman Islands are in your travel plans over the next few days, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather.

Jamaica is Next: Major Hurricane Beryl July 2024 Travel Alert

Maximum sustained winds of Hurricane Beryl — which is currently approximately 360 miles southeast of Kingston in Jamaica and moving west northwest at a speed of 22 miles per hour — are at 150 miles per hour, which means that it is currently a Category 4 hurricane with a clearly defined eye; and is only six miles per hour shy of Category 5 status. Possible landfall of this hurricane is expected as early as late tomorrow morning, Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

a map of the hurricane
Source: National Hurricane Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States.

At least one fatality has already been reported as the landfall of Hurricane Beryl occurred shortly after 11:00 in the morning Eastern Daylight Time yesterday, Monday, July 1, 2024 on Carriacou Island in Grenada in the Caribbean Sea with maximum winds of 150 miles per hour. Hurricane Beryl is the strongest known hurricane to pass through the Grenadine Islands, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States since records were first kept in 1851.

After emerging once again back out on the open warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, Hurricane Beryl strengthened to Category 5 status with sustained winds of 165 miles per hour. The hurricane has been slowly weakening — but it is still very dangerous.

When the eye of a hurricane is well defined, that is usually an indication of the strength of the tropical weather system, as it means that it is organized and powerful.

A hurricane to form as far east as Hurricane Beryl did — along with its intense strengthening — is unusual for this time of year. Hurricane Beryl is the earliest tropical storm system to achieve Category 4 strength in June; and it is the earliest tropical storm system to achieve Category 5 strength in July. This pattern normally starts to occur sometime in late July.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:

  • Jamaica
  • Grand Cayman
  • Little Cayman and Cayman Brac

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

  • South coast of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Anse d’Hainault
  • East coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from Chetumal to Cabo Catoche

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

  • South coast of Dominican Republic from Punta Palenque westward to the border with Haiti
  • South coast of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Anse d’Hainault

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

  • Coast of Belize from south of Chetumal to Belize City

Significant precipitation of up to twelve inches is possible in local areas in Jamaica and the southwestern peninsula of Haiti.

Rough surf and strong rip currents are currently affecting the Windward Islands and southern Leeward Islands — as well as the southern coasts of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. A dangerous storm surge of as high as eight feet above normal is expected to result in significant flooding near the southern coast of Jamaica.

Other areas of the western Caribbean Sea will be affected by the hurricane even though they are not within its path due to the outer bands of this storm, which can result in torrential downpours, significant wind gusts, and even spawn an isolated tornado.

See also

After impacting Jamaica, Hurricane Beryl may weaken somewhat — but it is projected to remain as a hurricane as it heads west northwest towards a likely landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and then into the Gulf of Mexico. What track and strength the hurricane will be depends on a number of factors — the area of northeastern Mexico just south of the border it shares with Texas is the current projected path — but heading towards the Gulf Coast of the United States is not out of the question. Either way, concerns in southern Texas should start preparing for the potential impact of Hurricane Beryl as soon as possible.

Flight Waivers, Delays, and Cancellations

If you are traveling to or from Jamaica or the Cayman Islands over the next few days, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this tropical weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.

If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.

Here are twelve airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this tropical weather system:

Final Boarding Call

Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.

Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States.

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