Hurricane Beryl forms: Earliest Category 4 hurricane on record

The first hurricane of the Atlantic season has been named; Hurricane Beryl.

Hurricane Beryl comes after the formation of Tropical Storm Alberto, which developed on June 19th. While Alberto was the latest-forming first named storm since 2014, Beryl has become the earliest Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic on record.

In less than 24 hours, Beryl had developed from a tropical storm into a Category 4 hurricane with wind speeds over 130 mph.

The major hurricane has several Caribbean islands in its sights, currently approaching the Windward Islands and Barbados, where damaging hurricane force winds are expected, gusting over 90 mph, bringing damaging waves and life-threatening storm surge.

A tropical storm watch is currently in place for the Dominican Republic and Haiti as it passes to their south, with heavy focus in general on the Caribbean. Beryl's path is forecast to extend toward Mexico and into the Gulf coast.

Tropical Storm Chris has also now been named in the Bay of Campeche, the 3rd named storm of the Atlantic season. On average, the third named storm forms around August 3rd.