Hurricane Beryl likely to strengthen, move toward Texas. See updated maps, projected path – MASHAHER

Hurricane Beryl made landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula just northeast of Tulum, Mexico, as a strong Category 2 hurricane, according to a special advisory at 6:05 a.m. from the National Hurricane Center.

Entering the Gulf of Mexico, the storm is expected to strengthen as it heads toward northern Mexico and the southern tip of Texas. It remains unclear how far north Beryl will turn, but AccuWeather forecasters say it’s possible it will run parallel to the coast before making its third landfall.

The landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula was the second for Hurricane Beryl. It initially made landfall at 11 a.m. July 1 on Carriacou Island, Grenada, as a Category 4 storm with 150-mph winds.

Hurricane Beryl’s impact on Texas

At this time, “AccuWeather meteorologists expect Beryl to make another landfall in northeastern Mexico, perhaps close to the Texas border Sunday evening to early Monday.”

Portions of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico can expect strong winds, storm surge and heavy rainfall late this weekend. Beryl is likely to bring strong rip currents along the entire Gulf Coast, so those who may be celebrating the holiday weekend at the beach should take precautions.

Beryl is generating large swells in the Gulf of Mexico, which are likely to reach much of the U.S. Gulf Coast late Friday. In addition to strong rip currents, the storm is also life-threatening surf.

More: As Hurricane Beryl moves through the Caribbean, Corpus Christi prepares for possible hit

The precise timing of Beryl’s third landfall was uncertain as of Friday morning, as several factors are involved: changes in speed, Beryl stalling in the Gulf of Mexico, and the easing of wind shear.

“Beryl could stall or turn more to the north, paralleling the coast at the last minute before landfall as steering breezes decrease,” AccuWeather forecasters said.

Gulf waters are warm and can therefore allow Beryl to regain hurricane intensity it will lose as it passes over the Yucatan Peninsula.

“There is a chance that this storm may stall once it gets onshore in northern Mexico and southern Texas, which could lead to more rainfall and flooding concerns,” said AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok.

People are also reading: As Hurricane Beryl moves through the Caribbean, Corpus Christi prepares for possible hit

Gov. Abbott increases readiness level ahead of Hurricane Beryl

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is increasing the readiness level for the state’s emergency management agencies to Level II, effective 10 a.m. Friday.

“As Texans and visitors around the south coastal areas begin to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, I urge them to make an emergency plan, review hurricane evacuation routes, and continue to monitor weather conditions to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones,” Abbott’s statement reads in part.

Hurricane Beryl location

As of 7 a.m. CDT Friday, the center of Hurricane Beryl was located near latitude 20.4 North, longitude 87.6 West. The National Hurricane Center tracked the storm about 15 miles north-northwest of Tulum, Mexico and about 730 miles east-southeast of Brownsville, Texas.

Beryl was reported to be moving at 15 miles per hour with maximum winds of 100 miles per hour.

Where is Tulum, Mexico?

Tulum is located about 80 miles south of Cancún or 30 miles west of the southern tip of Cozumel.

Hurricane Beryl tracker: See projected path

This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

See spaghetti models for Hurricane Beryl

Texas weather watches and warnings

Hurricane storm tracker: See active storms in the Atlantic

What do watches and warnings from the NHC mean?

• Hurricane warning: A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

• Hurricane watch: A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

• Tropical storm warning: A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

• Tropical storm watch: An announcement that sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within the specified area within 48 hours in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post-tropical cyclone.

• Storm surge warning: A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

• Storm surge watch: A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.

What is storm surge? Graphics explain the deadly weather event

— USA TODAY reporter Cheryl McCloud contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Hurricane Beryl hits Mexico, heads to Texas next. See projected path