NHC Warns Hurricane Beryl to Intensify: Latest Path, Impact Zones & Safety Tips

Holiday travelers along the U.S. Southeast coast are watching the skies after the National Hurricane Center (NHC) boosted development odds for a low-pressure area drifting just east of Florida. The latest 8 p.m. ET Tropical Weather Outlook raises the chance that the disturbance becomes a tropical depression to 40 percent through Saturday and 50 percent over the next seven days, an uptick from Wednesday’s forecast. Even if the system never earns a name, forecasters warn it will funnel tropical downpours across the peninsula, threatening outdoor Fourth of July plans from Jacksonville to Miami. What to expect in Florida • Timing: Bands of rain and gusty squalls could reach eastern Florida late Friday and linger through Sunday. • Rain totals: 2–4 inches are possible, with localized amounts near 6 inches along the Space and Treasure Coasts. • Marine hazards: Elevated surf and a high risk of rip currents will develop ahead of the holiday weekend. • Travel impacts: I-95 corridor slowdowns and flight delays are likely during peak getaway hours. Residents should review hurricane kits now, because waterlogged ground and full retention ponds could amplify flooding if a stronger storm forms later this month. Hurricane Flossie churns in the eastern Pacific While Atlantic watchers eye Florida, Hurricane Flossie continues to spin more than 800 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas. The Category 1 storm carried maximum sustained winds of 85 mph in the 2 p.m. MST Wednesday advisory. Forecast models keep Flossie over open water, but rough seas may reach parts of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula early next week. 2025 season already living up to the outlook NOAA predicted an “above-normal” Atlantic hurricane season in May, citing record-warm ocean temperatures and the return of La Niña. Five tropical storms have formed before July 1—nearly double the 30-year average—underscoring why early preparedness is critical. Key preparedness tips • Check evacuation routes and know your zone. • Stock at least three days’ worth of food, water and medications. • Secure outdoor furniture and trim trees before winds pick up. • Sign up for local emergency alerts and monitor nhc.noaa.gov for official updates every six hours. Bottom line Whether you’re grilling on the beach or driving across state lines, stay weather-aware this Fourth of July. A depression could form close to shore with little warning, and heavy rains alone can be dangerous. Bookmark the NHC, tune to trusted local media, and pivot plans as advisories evolve.