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Hurricane Beryl is unlike any storm we've ever seen. Here's why

hURRICANE BERYL 11 PM UPDATE
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — In the tropics, we continue to watch powerful Hurricane Beryl, as it takes aim at Jamaica as a Category 4 hurricane Tuesday.

As of 11 p.m., the storm was moving west-northwest at 22 mph with winds of 150 mph. The storm's winds have been as high as 165 mph.

This is the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin this early in the season.

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WPTV First Alert Chief meteorologist Steve Weagle said some dry air has filtered into the storm Tuesday, causing some slight weakening.

Beryl is forecast to be a powerful hurricane when it reaches Jamaica on Wednesday, and a direct hit is possible.

"This brings back memories of Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 — a September storm that devastated the island," Weagle said.

Beryl

Another landfall is likely on the Yucatan Peninsula on Friday, then the storm will track into the Gulf of Mexico this weekend.

It should drop to a Category 2 by late Wednesday into early Thursday.

Beryl will not have any impact on South Florida.

Behind Beryl, there's another wave that we're watching. That one is interacting with a lot of dry air, so the chance that it becomes a tropical cyclone is getting lower, down to a 20% chance.

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TERMS TO KNOW

TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.

TROPICAL STORM WARNING: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.

HURRICANE WATCH: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

HURRICANE WARNING: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.