Belize’s Weather Tech Is More Advanced Than You Think

Hurricane season 2026 officially opens today, and according to Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon, Belize is more equipped to track the next five months than you might think. 

When a hurricane forms in the Atlantic, the first question most Belizeans ask is: are we ready? According to Gordon, the answer, at least on the monitoring side, is yes.

“Our weather observation network has become so dense, and we are one of the most, I would say, in Central America and the Caribbean, one of the most that contribute to weather observation across the country,” Gordon said during an appearance on Open Your Eyes Monday morning.

The most recent addition to that network is a Storm Surge Monitoring station at the Fisheries Department, installed specifically to track the dangerous coastal flooding that accompanies major storms. Storm surge, not wind, is historically the deadliest element of a hurricane, which makes it a significant upgrade.

For everyday Belizeans, the technology is accessible too, Gordon added. The Belize Weather app, available on both Android and Apple devices, puts localised forecasts directly in hand. Gordon explained the challenge is not just building and making tools accessible to the public; it’s actually getting people to use them instead of relying on unverified sources that fuel misinformation during a very emotionally delicate time of year.

“We are tasked and are responsible for providing weather forecasts for Belize. Therefore, we are accountable. If you’re looking at some other person out there, that person is not accountable”, Gordon added.

According to forecasts by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there can be between eight and fourteen named storms this year, of which three to six can develop into hurricanes. It is a “below-normal” season, as forecasters keep an eye on the expected development of El Niño conditions.