WMO Emphasizes Importance of Strong Early Warning Systems Amid Hurricane Beryl

Geneva, July 9:
On Monday, the United Nations meteorological organization (WMO) stated that the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl on the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean highlights the critical need for effective early warning systems.

After quickly strengthening from a tropical depression to a Category 4 storm, Beryl became the strongest hurricane to ever form in the Atlantic during June. For a short while, it reached Category 5, with gusts reaching 240 km/h (150 mph). As a Category 1 hurricane, it made landfall in Texas early Monday morning local time, posing a risk of flash flooding and a severe storm surge.

The National Hurricane Center in the United States, which is part of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO), predicts that it will quickly diminish as it travels inland. Up to 25 named storms are anticipated through November, according to WMO's warning of a highly strong hurricane season. Eight to thirteen of these storms have the potential to become hurricanes.

"We need to be especially vigilant this year due to near-record ocean heat in the region where Atlantic hurricanes form and the shift to La Nina conditions, which together create the conditions for increased storm formulation," said Ko Barrett, Deputy Secretary-General of the WMO. For this reason, the worldwide Early Warnings For All project has made small island early warning action a priority, with the help of WMO and its partners.