Current Weather in Belize
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Belize
lacks on weather stations and the weather forecast is not very
precisely.
Many times when in Belize rain is forecasted, we have sunshine the
whole day. Sometimes if you look at the forecast, you will think it
rains day and night, but clouds just pas over the cayes and then clods
raining out at the Maya Mountains.
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Click to get a actual animation
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Nerveless,
some areas in the south of Belize receive up to 170 inches of rain
annually. In Belize, the rainy season and the hurricane season run from
June to November. When hurricane season is here, with the most active
months being
September, October and November we recommend keeping an eye out here
for updates if the local weather situation becomes tenser. |
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NASA Belize Vapor Satellite Image
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The latest Satellite
Vapor Picture of the Belize
Reagion in Central America from NASA MSFC taken from GOES East
Satellite.
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Cloud
Free |
Weak
warm
Clouds |
Could
strong
Clouds |
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Actual Hurricane Data from NOAA
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Accu Weather Hurricane Watch
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Doppler Radar Stream from Belize NMS in
Ladyville
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The Belize Doppler
radar is able to track
the eye of hurricanes as they come within 186 nautical miles offshore
of Belize. It is a very good tool to do now casting, very short
term forecasting.
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(Display
Time is GMT -6 Houres)
Because
the Belize
Metrological Service has often trouble to update the
daily radar image you can use
the Belize
Metrological Service link for the latest posted radar image.
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The Belize Climate
Belize has a
tropical climate with pronounced wet and
dry seasons,
although there are significant variations in weather patterns by
region. Temperatures vary according to elevation, proximity to
the
coast, and the moderating effects of the northeast trade winds off the
Caribbean. Average temperatures in the coastal regions range from
24 °C
in January to 27 °C in July.
Temperature
Conversion:
Enter a number in either field then click
outside the text box
or press the tab key
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JAVA
Needed
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In
Belize the temperatures are slightly higher inland, except for the
southern highland plateaus, such as the Mountain Pine Ridge, where it
is noticeably cooler year round. Overall, the seasons are marked more
by differences in humidity and rainfall than in temperature.
The average rainfall in Belize varies considerably, ranging from 1,350
millimeters in the north and west to over 4,500 millimeters in the
extreme south. Seasonal differences in rainfall are greatest in the
northern and central regions of the country where, between January and
April or May, fewer than 100 millimeters of rain fall per month. The
dry season is shorter in the south, normally only lasting from February
to April. A shorter, less rainy period, known locally as the "little
dry," usually occurs in late July or August, after the initial onset of
the rainy season.
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Tropical Depression, Tropical Storm
and
Hurricane
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Tropical Depression
A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained wind speed is 38 mph
or less ( less than 33 kt or 17 m/s). Depressions have a closed
circulation.
Tropical Storm
A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained wind speed ranges
from 39 mph (34 kt or 18 m/s) to 73 mph (63 kt or 33 m/s). The
convection in tropical storms is usually more concentrated near the
center with outer rainfall organizing into distinct bands.
Hurricane
When winds in a tropical cyclone equal or exceed 74 mph (64 kt or 34
m/s) it is called a hurricane. Hurricanes are further designated by
categories on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Hurricanes in categories 3, 4,
5 are known as Major Hurricanes or Intense Hurricanes.
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The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
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The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a
1-5 rating based
on the
hurricane's present intensity. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is
used to give an estimate of the
potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a
hurricane landfall.
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Hurricane Mitch close to Belize
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Wind speed is the determining factor in
the scale,
as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the
continental shelf in the landfall region. Note that all winds are using
the U.S. 1-minute average.
Category One Hurricane
Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153
km/hr). Barometric Pressure Above 980 mb (Above 28.94 in) Storm surge
generally 4-5 ft above normal. No real damage to building structures.
Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some
damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal road flooding
and minor pier damage.
Category Two Hurricane
Winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 km/hr).
Barometric Pressure
965-980 mb (28.50-28.94 in) Storm surge generally 6-8 feet above
normal. Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings.
Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down.
Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and
piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before
arrival of the hurricane center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages
break moorings.
Category Three Hurricane
Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/hr). Barometric Pressure
945-965 mb (27.91-28.50 in) Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal.
Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a
minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees
with foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down. Mobile homes
and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are
cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the
hurricane. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with
larger structures damaged by battering from floating debris. Terrain
continuously lower than 5 ft above mean sea level may be flooded inland
8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with
several blocks of the shoreline may be required.
Category Four Hurricane
Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr). Barometric Pressure
920-945 mb (27.17-27.91 in) Storm surge generally 13-18 ft above
normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof
structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs
are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage
to doors and windows. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising
water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major
damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than
10 ft above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of
residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km).
Category Five Hurricane
Winds greater than 155 mph (greater than 135 kt or 249 km/hr).
Barometric Pressure Below 920 mb (Below 27.17 in) Storm surge generally
greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many
residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures
with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and
signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and
extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut by
rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane.
Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft
above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive
evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16
km) of the shoreline may be required.
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Belize Hurricane Flags
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The official
hurricane season in Belize is from 1 June until 30 November. In
addition to radio, tv and internet bulletins, the Belizean hurricane
warning system uses a series of warning flags flown at signal centers
to show the proximity of a tropical storm or hurricane to Belize or its
coastal waters.
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First
Phase:
May threaten within 72 hours.
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Second
Phase:
Likley to strike within 36 hours
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Third
Phase:
Likley to strike within 24 hours |
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Fourth Phase:
The front has passed, or is no longer a threat to Belize or the coastal
waters.
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Belize Hurricane Preparedness, Rules and Safety
For hurricane preparedness, rules and safety check our Belize
Emergency
Page with much useful and actual information.
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Guide to Belize, March 2024
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