Yep - decades ago now.
Here’s the latest on Beryl - shows that something has changed
“Hurricane Beryl is being described as extremely rare due to several unprecedented factors:
1. Timing: Beryl formed and intensified much earlier in the Atlantic hurricane season than typically observed. It became the earliest Category 5 storm on record in July, about two months ahead of the usual peak hurricane season in August and September[1][2].
2. Intensity: Beryl is the first hurricane since records began to reach Category 4 level in June, and the earliest to reach Category 5 in July[1][3].
3. Rapid intensification: The storm underwent remarkable strengthening, reaching Category 5 status when such powerful storms are not usually expected this early in the season[2].
4. Ocean temperatures: Beryl gained strength in the Caribbean Sea, where water temperatures resembled those typically seen in mid-September, contributing to its unusual early-season intensity[2].
5. Historical context: Only five major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher) have been recorded in the Atlantic before the first week of July, making Beryl's Category 5 status exceptionally rare[3].
These factors combined make Hurricane Beryl an anomaly, setting what experts describe as an "alarming precedent" for what is expected to be a very active hurricane season[1].
