Belize to Experience Heavy Rains, Possible Flooding

Ronald Gordon

Tropical storm winds are not expected, but the country will be impacted by rains, especially northern Belize starting tonight. There is also the possibility of flooding across the country. Chief Meteorologist Gordon goes into more details on warnings for the country and for residents to stay alert.

Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist, National Meteorological Service

“In the country of Belize, we are expecting that winds could be moderate – fifteen to twenty-five knots mainly in the north and offshore areas; possibly higher gusts in showers and thunderstorms. We expect that our seas will become rough, not only because of large waves or swells that the system will be stirring up as it is coming into the Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, locally, we have already issued a small craft caution and that is likely to be upgraded to a small craft warning later tonight. The other impact that we expect is there to be an increase in rainfall. Current projections are for there to be about one to four inches of rainfall throughout tonight and into the next few days; actually until about Saturday or so. And the northern part of the country will be seeing the higher amounts, however, we are issuing a flood watch for the entire country of Belize because there is the possibility that even though I am saying one to four inches, you can have localized, higher amounts in feeder bands and thunderstorms. So those could lead to localised flooding and hence we are issuing an alert countrywide for the possibility of flooding over low-lying and flood-prone areas of the country.”