Hurricane Charley no threat…yet
It poses no immediate threat to Belize, but when it comes to hurricanes or tropical storms, we have seen too many times that forecasting is still a very inexact science. That is why meteorologists in Belize and the region are keeping a close eye on Charley, the season?s third named storm, which is tonight swimming across the Caribbean like a barracuda chasing a school of sprat. Late this evening, the centre of Tropical Storm Charley was located well southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. Forecasters expect that as Charley moves past that island it will strengthen into a hurricane. Acting Chief Meteorologist Ramon Frutos says while the system is not expected to affect the country, Belizeans should use it as a reminder to be prepared.
Ramon Frutos, Ag. Chief Meteorologist
?Basically that is what the projections are indicting; that as Charley continues on a west north westerly track during the next twelve to twenty-four hours, it will tend to move or the trajectory will change to a more northerly track as it enters the North Western Caribbean.?
?Any system that develops in the Caribbean should be concerned to all interest n the Caribbean. And Charley was or is at the moment in the Central Caribbean. However, indications are pointing that Charley will swing more towards the northwest as it moves into the Western Caribbean later on Wednesday and on Thursday. So, Belizeans should continue to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Charley during the next twenty-four to thirty-six hours.?
?Well I think most Belizeans should continue to review their hurricane plan. And companies and agencies should be doing the same, just to be sure that they are in a position, prepared or any eventuality. But I should say that at this point, we need not worry too much of any major impact that Charley could have on the country of Belize.?
The Governments of Haiti and Jamaica have issued tropical storm warnings, while authorities in the Cayman Islands have placed residents on a Tropical storm watch. Charley is moving toward the west-northwest at near twenty-six miles per hour with maximum sustained winds near fifty miles per hour. Some strengthening is expected over the next twenty four hours. Frutos says computer models project Tropical Storm Charley to pass through Cuba?s Isle of Youth on Friday morning.
