Tropical Storm Beryl, which formed on Friday, is expected to strengthen into a "dangerous major hurricane" by Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is forecast to bring high winds and heavy rain to the Caribbean, with potential destructive impacts.
The NHC has issued a hurricane watch for Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, and Grenada, as well as tropical storm watches for Martinique, Dominica, and Tobago. Water levels could reach five to seven feet above normal tide levels, and the storm could bring destructive hurricane-force winds and a life-threatening storm surge to portions of the Windward Islands.
In addition to strong winds, heavy rainfall and flooding are also expected in parts of the central and western Caribbean. The NHC is projecting rainfall totals of three to six inches across the Windward Islands.
As of Saturday afternoon, Tropical Storm Beryl was about 785 miles east of Barbados, moving west at 23 miles per hour with maximum winds of about 65 miles per hour. The storm is forecast to hit the Windward Islands late Sunday, with potential impacts continuing into Monday.
Residents in the affected areas are urged to stay informed about the storm's progress and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The NHC continues to monitor Tropical Storm Beryl and provide updates as the storm develops.