Despite forecasts indicating that the eye of Hurricane Beryl will remain far from Cuban territory, the island will find itself on the "dirty side" of this powerful meteorological phenomenon, meaning it will experience the strongest winds and rains.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), some areas of Cuba could feel winds up to 63 km/h by gusts from early Wednesday morning through Thursday.
An image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows the likelihood of tropical storm-force winds in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico over the next five days, from Tuesday, July 2nd to Sunday, July 7th.
Impact on Cuba and Surrounding Regions
The forecast indicates that Hurricane Beryl will move through the Caribbean with strong winds along its path. The projection suggests that Cuba will fall within the affected areas, although winds are not expected to exceed 63 km/h.
While the model projections show a consensus that Hurricane Beryl will impact the Yucatán Peninsula on Friday, the Forecast Center of the Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) has warned that it will closely monitor the evolution of this potent tropical cyclonic system as it moves through the seas south of Cuba during Wednesday and Thursday of this week.
Formed as a tropical depression on the afternoon of Friday, June 28th, this cyclonic system has intensified very rapidly. By the evening of that same day, it had become a tropical storm, and by Saturday afternoon, it was a hurricane. In less than 24 hours, it jumped from Category 1 to Category 4, an unusual occurrence for this time of year.
Currently a Category 5 hurricane, Beryl continues to advance and is expected to bring dangerous winds and storm surges to Jamaica on Wednesday. As of 8:00 AM AST (12:00 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Beryl was located about 485 km southeast of Isla Beata, Dominican Republic, and 1005 km from Kingston, Jamaica.
The maximum sustained winds are 270 km/h, with a current movement towards the west-northwest at 35 km/h.
There is currently a hurricane warning in effect for Jamaica, a hurricane watch for Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac, and a tropical storm warning for the southern coast of the Dominican Republic from Punta Palenque westward to the Haitian border, as well as the southern coast of Haiti from the Dominican Republic border to Anse d'Hainault.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hurricane Beryl's Impact on Cuba
In light of Hurricane Beryl's expected influence on Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions to provide more clarity on the situation.
What areas of Cuba will be most affected by Hurricane Beryl?
The areas most likely to be affected by Hurricane Beryl in Cuba are those on the island's southern coast, where winds could reach up to 63 km/h by gusts.
When is Hurricane Beryl expected to impact Cuba?
The impact is expected from early Wednesday morning through Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
What precautions should residents in the affected areas take?
Residents should secure loose items, stay indoors during the storm, and closely monitor updates from local authorities and the National Hurricane Center.