Hurricane Beryl, a notable tropical cyclone of 2024, traced a long and impactful journey across the Atlantic, Caribbean, and finally making landfall in Texas. Originating in the deep tropical Atlantic on June 28th, Beryl quickly intensified, becoming a hurricane and ultimately impacting several regions before dissipating inland. Understanding where Hurricane Beryl traveled and its areas of impact provides crucial insights into its lifecycle and effects.
Hurricane Beryl’s Journey Across the Atlantic and Caribbean
Born in the Atlantic’s Main Development Region, Hurricane Beryl embarked on a westward trajectory, guided by a high-pressure ridge. It rapidly strengthened into a tropical storm and then a hurricane by June 29th, escalating to a major hurricane by July 1st. Beryl first made landfall on the island of Carriacou in Grenada as a high-end Category 4 hurricane. Continuing its westward path, it intensified further to a Category 5 hurricane in the Eastern Caribbean Sea and passed just south of Jamaica as a Category 4 hurricane on July 3rd, causing significant concern and requiring preparedness measures across these island nations. The storm then made a second landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula as a high-end Category 2 hurricane early on July 5th, impacting coastal communities and inland areas with strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Re-emergence into the Gulf and Texas Landfall
After traversing the Yucatán Peninsula, Beryl weakened but emerged into the Southwest Gulf of Mexico on the evening of July 5th as a strong tropical storm. Initially, re-strengthening was hindered by wind shear and dry air. However, as a trough of low pressure eroded the high-pressure ridge, Beryl shifted northwest and then north-northwest towards the Central Texas coast. By July 7th, conditions became more favorable, and Hurricane Beryl regained minimal hurricane strength. Hurricane Beryl made landfall near Mategorda, Texas, around 4 AM CDT on July 8th. At landfall, it was a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (70 knots) and a minimum central pressure of 979 millibars (28.91 inches), directly impacting the Texas coastline.
Inland Impacts and Dissipation
Following landfall in Texas, Hurricane Beryl moved north-northeastward. It gradually weakened as it moved inland, becoming a tropical storm just northwest of Houston by 10 AM CDT on July 8th. Continuing its northeast trajectory across East Texas, Beryl further weakened to a tropical depression by 10 PM CDT near Shreveport, Louisiana. By late morning on July 9th, as it moved across Northwest Arkansas, Beryl transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone. Its remnants continued to move quickly across the Northeast U.S. through July 10th, bringing rainfall and gusty winds to these regions.
Key Impacts: Winds, Water, Rain, and Tornadoes
Winds & Pressure
Coastal waters from Cameron, Louisiana, westward to High Island, Texas, and Jefferson County in Southeast Texas, experienced sustained tropical storm force winds. Sabine Pass, Texas, recorded the highest winds in the area with a maximum sustained wind of 55 mph and a peak gust of 70 mph around 11 AM CDT on July 8th. Sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph with higher gusts were common across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana, especially south of the Intracoastal Waterway. Inland areas experienced sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts. For detailed wind data, refer to the Winds and Pressure Report.
Storm Surge & Water Levels
Moderate storm surge flooding affected Coastal Cameron Parish in Southwest Louisiana and Coastal Jefferson County in Southeast Texas, with tides reaching 2.50 to 3.25 feet above Mean Higher High Water (MHHW). In Jefferson County, Highway 87 near Sabine Pass was inundated. Sea Rim State Park suffered damage to buildings and roadways due to storm surge. In Cameron Parish, storm surge covered highways and camp roads, causing damage and debris. Detailed water level information is available in the Water Levels Report.
Rainfall
Southeast Texas received significant rainfall, with amounts ranging from 3 to 6 inches. Central and Southern Louisiana experienced lesser rainfall, generally 2 inches or less. For comprehensive rainfall data, see the Rainfall Report.
Tornadoes
One EF2 tornado was reported in Jasper, Texas, resulting in one injury, highlighting the severe weather associated with Hurricane Beryl even inland. Further details are in the Tornadoes Report.
Tracking Hurricane Beryl: From Atlantic to Inland Dissipation
Hurricane Beryl’s journey began far out in the Atlantic, progressed through the Caribbean, across the Yucatan Peninsula, re-intensified over the Gulf of Mexico, and ultimately made landfall in Texas. Its path continued inland across Louisiana, Arkansas, and into the Northeastern United States as a post-tropical cyclone. The storm’s track impacted a wide range of areas, from island nations to the US Gulf Coast and inland states.
In conclusion, Hurricane Beryl was a dynamic and long-lasting storm. Starting in the Atlantic, it impacted the Caribbean, traversed the Gulf, and made landfall in Texas before dissipating inland. Its effects were felt across multiple states through winds, storm surge, rainfall, and even a tornado, demonstrating the widespread impact of such tropical systems. For further details and data, refer to the linked reports from the National Weather Service Lake Charles.
