Hurricane Beryl became the first such storm of the 2018 Atlantic season early Friday as it strengthened while moving westward.
Beryl is an unusually small hurricane, a characteristic that forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say make it difficult to measure and predict.
“Due to its very small size, there is greater-than-usual uncertainty in the analysis of Beryl’s current intensity,” the NHC forecaster’s discussion of the storm said. “Confidence in the official intensity forecast is also much lower than normal.”
Still, the NHC said Hurricane Beryl will likely lose steam before hitting the Lesser Antilles, a group of Caribbean islands, where residents can expect “some rain and wind impacts.” As it stands, Beryl is unlikely to be a significant threat elsewhere.
NOAA’s GOES-16 satellite is offering stunning views of Hurricane Beryl from space on Friday morning:
Correction July 6
The original version of this story misstated the organization that runs the GOES-16 satellite. It is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), not NASA.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
- Biden’s Campaign Is In Trouble. Will the Turnaround Plan Work?
- Why We're Spending So Much Money Now
- The Financial Influencers Women Actually Want to Listen To
- Breaker Sunny Choi Is Heading to Paris
- Why TV Can’t Stop Making Silly Shows About Lady Journalists
- The Case for Wearing Shoes in the House
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com