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Belize officially marked the end of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season this weekend, closing a six-month period that brought heightened preparedness. Fortunately, there were no direct hurricane impacts to the country as the season produced slightly below average number of named storms in the Atlantic Basin, specifically 13, with 5 becoming hurricanes and 4 being major hurricanes. The season also saw a few storms rapidly intensifying due to warm sea temperatures. Meteorologist Tariq Matthews spoke to Love News and provided an insight into these rapidly intensifying storms.
Tariq Matthews, Meteorologist: “We’re seeing hurricanes intensifying especially when it comes to rapid intensification. So that have to do with the increasing sea surface temperatures, low wind shear and so forth. So we’re seeing that storms are getting stronger very fast. So that’s something to be concerned about especially going into the future. And that was one of the striking differences I think when it comes to major hurricanes we had four major hurricanes this season and I think the average was three so it went above average so that’s something striking. So, yeah, so it has to do with sea surface temperature and climate change overall.”
The National Meteorological Service reports that the closest threat came from Hurricane Melissa, which made a devastating impact on our Caribbean neighbors in Jamacia. While Melissa prompted close monitoring and early readiness by NEMO and the Met Service, the storm ultimately posed no significant threat to Belize. Matthews says however, Belize’s good fortune should not be mistaken for reduced risk and that Belizeans should continue to make readiness plans.
Tariq Matthews, Meteorologist: “Yes, well I just want to tell the public to always be prepared at all times because it only takes one storm to make it an active season for us. So I just want to tell them for the next hurricane season to always be prepared. We are never out of the woods since we are always located in the Caribbean so we could always be faced with potential hurricanes. So I just want to tell the public to always be prepared at all times. We always have our hurricane preparedness plans in place if we’re threatened by a hurricane being category 1 or 5. So, it’s always to be prepared at all times. Yes, we’re seeing that rapid intensification, right? But when it does rapidly intensify, we’re already prepared for that.”
As the season ends, NEMO and the Met Service are encouraging Belizeans to use the off season to update disaster plans, check emergency supplies, and secure homes and property. The last hurricane to impact Belize
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