Early Threat of First 2024 Hurricane to Caribbean

AccuWeather is reporting that early activity in the tropical Atlantic suggests the potential formation of a tropical storm or hurricane, posing a threat to the Caribbean. A narrow plume of moisture extending from the south-central Atlantic to the Caribbean Sea could aid in the system’s development and intensification.

AccuWeather began labeling this system as a tropical rainstorm on Thursday to heighten awareness of its potential hazards to life and property.

Forecasters anticipate the system to strengthen to at least tropical storm intensity as it nears the Windward Islands, likely bringing squally rains, gusty thunderstorms, and rough seas as early as Sunday. There’s a possibility it could reach Category 1 hurricane status (sustained winds of 74-95 mph) upon approaching the Windward Islands.

The next name on the 2024 tropical storm list is Beryl.

Depending on steering currents, the system may track westward across Central America next week or turn northwestward towards the western Gulf of Mexico by the following weekend, potentially threatening the United States.

In another part of the Atlantic, a separate tropical wave is approaching Central America, with a moderate chance of developing into a tropical depression before moving into east-central Mexico on Sunday.

If another system develops in the coming days or weeks, it would be named Chris, according to the 2024 tropical storm list.