Weather - Greater Belize Media

NHC Monitors Invest 94L in Central Atlantic

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is keeping a close watch on an area of low pressure, now designated Invest 94L, located roughly 700 miles east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles.

According to the NHC’s latest Tropical Weather Outlook issued this morning, showers and thunderstorms linked to the system have shown little change in organisation overnight. Environmental conditions remain only marginally favourable, meaning any further development is expected to be slow as the system tracks west-northwest at about 10 to 15 miles per hour.

Forecasters currently give Invest 94L just a 20 percent chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm over the next two days and the same low chance over the next week. By midweek, conditions in the Atlantic are expected to become less favourable for any significant strengthening.

Regardless of development, the system could bring heavy rainfall to parts of the Lesser Antilles by midweek, increasing the risk of localised flooding. Residents in the region are advised to monitor updates as the system approaches.

Tropic Wave Pounds Orange Walk with Heavy Rain

It was a dramatic end to the week in the north, as torrential rains turned the Orange Walk District into a scene of chaos and concern. Two tropical waves swept across Belize, but it was Friday’s system that really packed a punch, dumping up to thirteen inches of rain in just a few hours. Streets became rivers, cars were stranded, and many residents found themselves stuck on their way home from work. The images and videos that surfaced were nothing short of alarming. Tonight, we hear from Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon, who breaks down just how much rain fell—and why it happened so fast.

Ronald Gordon, Chief Met Officer, National Met Service

“In terms of amounts, I should mention we had very significant amounts of rainfall over the Orange Walk Districts. We can focus on two station, one in Tower Hill which we recorded Wednesday and Saturday, about three hundred and thirty millimeters of rainfall. That amounts to about twelve inches of rainfall and also at Douglas, north of there, we recorded three hundred and twenty-one millimeters of rainfall, which is about twelve, almost thirteen inches of rainfall in that area. Most of that rainfall occurred on Friday last week and Saturday morning early. In a short span of time we had significant rainfall in those areas and that contributed the flooding we saw in those locations.”

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring at Raccoon Street Police Station

A heavy downpour on Wednesday night turned the Racoon Street Police Station in Belize City into a soggy mess. Videos making the rounds on social media show water gushing through a leaky roof, flooding the station’s floors and leaving officers scrambling. This isn’t the first time concerns have been raised about the condition of police buildings. Officers have long voiced frustration over poor maintenance, and this latest incident has only added fuel to the fire. In response, the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries issued a statement acknowledging the issue. They pointed to decades of neglect and underinvestment in public infrastructure as the root of the problem, and assured the public that the concerns are being taken seriously. The ministry further committed to repairing these dilapidated structures, stating “In response, ministry has already initiated a phased nationwide improvement plan aimed at enhancing the working and living conditions of our officers. We are currently pursuing temporary accommodations to relocate critical units operating from Raccoon Street Police Station” .

Cayo Residents Pelted During Unexpected Hailstorm

This afternoon, Cayo residents got an unexpected break from the scorching heat when a sudden rainstorm rolled in. But for those in Camalote, the surprise didn’t stop there, hail began falling from the sky, catching many completely off guard. Social media quickly lit up with videos and photos of the rare weather event. While some people were amazed by the unusual sight, others worried about damage to their vehicles parked outside. Authorities are reminding the public that during hailstorms, it’s safest to stay indoors and away from windows. Drivers should pull over to a safe spot and remain in their vehicles until the storm passes.

Hurricane Season Starts Sunday—Here’s What to Know

The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially kicks off this Sunday, June first, and runs through November thirtieth. Forecasters expect a normal to above-normal season, with thirteen to nineteen named storms, six to ten hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes likely to form. While there’s a medium chance of neutral El Niño conditions, which typically support average storm activity, warmer ocean temperatures could fuel stronger storms. What does this mean for Belize? It’s impossible to predict exactly where or when a storm will hit, but officials stress that everyone should be ready. Whether we face one storm or none, preparation is key.

Up to 19 Storms Predicted this Hurricane Season

The time for hurricane preparation is now. While the official start to Belize’s hurricane season might still be a few days away, the National Emergency Management Organization is advising the public not to wait until a hurricane is brewing to make the necessary arrangements. Earlier this month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its official outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, forecasting above-average activity. The NOAA predicts anywhere between thirteen and nineteen named storms, with six to ten of them becoming hurricanes. We spoke with National Emergency Coordinator, Daniel Mendez, for more details on this year’s hurricane season.

Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator, NEMO

“At this point we are, we continue to monitor those along with the Met service. Once that becomes something of concern to the country, they will be alerting us and telling us what we need to or what we need to know regarding that system. But the vigilance at the national system never stops. We’re not only monitoring potential systems, we also monitor things like forest fires and anything else that, that, that is important. NEMO is not a hurricane only organization. We function 24/7 throughout the year. Our officers are on duty all the time, and so we monitor anything that is that may threaten public safety. The time to prepare for tropicals for hurricane season is now. This is the time where you need to start to create your own emergency plans for your own family. You need to know what you’re gonna do if we have a system developing, where are you going to go? What are you going to take? Who will you stay with? How will you get there? So these are things that you need to find out right now. You can go to our website, nemo.org.bz. We have provided far more information particularly and in finding templates for family plans. We have a template for business plans. You are also able to find shelters across the country. We have a function there where you can search for shelters that will help you in determining and really finding out what you want to do. We also have information packages there, so you can also track hurricanes and tropical storms from our website and also on the Met Service website.”

NEMO advises the public to remain vigilant this hurricane season and avoid spreading misinformation.

NEMO Hosts Media Training Ahead of Hurricane Season

With just days to go before Belize’s hurricane season officially begins, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) is making sure the public stays informed and prepared. This morning, NEMO joined forces with the National Meteorological Service and the National Hydrological Service to host a special media training session. The goal? To equip journalists with the tools and knowledge they need to report accurately on storms, floods, and other natural disasters. NEMO Coordinator Daniel Mendez emphasized the growing importance of these sessions, especially as climate change continues to affect Belize. “The more prepared our media is, the better we can keep the public safe,” he said.

Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator, NEMO

“We at NEMO recognize that the media is a very important partner in sharing information during, before, during, and after any disaster event. So the purpose of inviting the media here was for you to listen from the experts, from the National Met Service, the National Hydrological Service, and NEMO. To hear and to respond to any questions that you may have regarding any of these kinds of events. We shared with you all of the correct scientific information. We also shared an information package that you can utilize as we begin this season. And this is just to ensure that we are all sharing the correct information. And so really the purpose was that information sharing with us, with the media. So we are. we do the best job possible in sharing information when we, if we do have to face a hurricane this year.”

Britney Gordon

“What are some of the challenges that NEMO has faced in the past when trying to disseminate information out to the media and the public that prompted a session like this?”

Daniel Mendez

“Of course, there’s always the issue of this misinformation and people listening to different sources and getting different information from many different areas. So what we wanted to do was to remind the media that any questions for any of these should be sent to us. We at NEMO rely on the National Met Service as our primary source of information for any meteorological issues. We rely on the National Hydrological Service for any issues that relate to flooding, and anything that is needed at that point..”

Belize Gears Up for an Above-Average Hurricane Season

With the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season fast approaching, experts are warning that this year could be busier than usual. In response, the Ministry of Disaster Risk Management and the National Meteorological Service of Belize have launched new initiatives aimed at boosting the country’s preparedness. The focus? Better access to weather and climate data, a crucial step in strengthening early warning systems that can save lives and reduce damage when disaster strikes. The launch event took place at the MET office in Ladyville, where we heard from NEMO Minister Henry Charles Usher about what Belizeans can expect this season, and how the government is working to keep communities safe.

Henry Charles Usher, NEMO Minister

“As a matter of fact, Cabinet was just briefed by the director of NEMO, the National Emergency Coordinator and the Chief Met Officer and what is expected is an above normal season. I think the normal season call for fourteen named storm, they are expecting sixteen or seventeen named storms. I think the normal season calls for four major storms, I think they are expecting five our six major storms this season. So it will be an above normal season but what is important, some weeks ago NEMO actually launched an early warning system and that is critical. You need to get that information early enough to have proper planning. In terms of all the different committees NEMO oversees, those committees are headed by different government departments. We are getting all the reports so that we can have our plan in place.”

NEMO Marks 25 Years of Service and Strength

Speaking at a recent event, Minister Henry Charles Usher stressed that public confidence in agencies like NEMO, especially during emergencies, is absolutely vital. He highlighted that NEMO has been operational for twenty-five years, and over that time, the departments and organizations under its umbrella have significantly strengthened their ability to respond when disaster strikes.

Henry Charles Usher, NEMO Minister

“Recently we also launched the national disaster risk management plan. This is also something that the NEMO Act, the legislation calls for to be updated every year, we are happy to have to comprehensive plan in place now. As you rightly said, the father of the nation is the first minister responsible for NEMO. NEMO is now in its twenty-fifth year, celebrating twenty-five years and it is important that the public knows, have confidence in NEMO, in the work it is doing, confidence in all the different departments and organizations responsible for disaster mitigation.”

Experts Warn of Active Hurricane Season as Caribbean Leaders Meet in Grenada

As the calendar inches closer to June, forecasters are raising red flags about what could be a turbulent 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, is predicting a sixty percent chance of an above-normal season, with up to nineteen named storms expected to form. Of those, as many as ten could strengthen into hurricanes, and up to five may reach major hurricane status, packing winds of one hundred and eleven miles per hour or more. NOAA says it has seventy percent confidence in these projections, citing warmer ocean temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions as key drivers behind the forecast. Meanwhile, in Grenada, regional climate experts are taking action. The Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum is underway, bringing together scientists, meteorologists, and disaster response teams from across the region. Their mission: to improve how we communicate and prepare for climate-related risks, especially as the region braces for what could be a very active season. News Five’s Benita Keme Palacio is on the ground in Grenada and brings us the latest insights and strategies emerging from the forum.