Heavy Rainfall Expected Across Belize

Residents across the country are advised to brace for some two to four inches of rainfall within the next twenty four hours.  Weather experts have been monitoring several systems in the Caribbean, but according to our local Chief MET Officer, Ronald Gordon, there is no imminent threat facing Belize.  He did say, however, that they are keeping an eye on a tropical wave that is not forecast to develop.

Ronald Gordon, Chief Met Officer, National Meteorological Service of Belize: “To be clear, we are monitoring a tropical wave and the chance of it becoming anything more than a tropical wave before it gets here is almost zero. However, the system is expected to produce significant rainfall across the country. The effects of the wave, the rainfall, will begin affecting the country from later this evening into tonight, intensify throughout the night into tomorrow morning. We expect rainfall to decrease on Saturday to about one to two inches and then for Sunday even further decrease. Apart from the very heavy rainfall, intense thunderstorm activity and lightning activity, we can expect winds to become very gusty, especially during thunderstorms leading to very rough sea conditions. So the good news for the activities on Saturday that If that, the rainfall will not be as heavy as it will be tonight and tomorrow. GFS global forecasting system is indicating that the central and northern parts of the country will see the bulk of the rainfall, while another model shows rainfall more concentrated over the south. Therefore that gives us a level of uncertainty. So the best thing for us to say is for the entire country to be prepared for intense rainfall.”

Gordon says a marine advisory will be issued shortly as the seas will be rough.