Met Service Upgrades Rainfall Alert to Warning as Downpours Intensify Across Belize

The National Meteorological Service of Belize has upgraded their excessive rainfall forecast from a watch to a warning. Today we spoke with Forecaster Crystal Rosalez regarding the downpours expected. 

Crystal Rosalez, Forecaster, National Meteorological Service: “Rainfall models are indicating that another one and a half to two inches are expected, especially along the coast, which will start tonight. If you notice, there was a break in the rain for this afternoon. We expect that break to continue with just possible isolated showers or light rain occurring in certain areas. But then the activity will redevelop tonight, like I said, mostly along the coast, starting over the south and then moving in a northward fashion and we should see a decrease in that going into Thursday because NHC has an area of interest. Right now there is an area of low pressure, a trough of low pressure over the Yucatan that is expected to move into the Bay of Campeche by tomorrow or Thursday and there is also an area of low pressure south of the Pacific side of the Mexican/Guatemalan border which has a forty percent chance of development so once these two systems continue on their western track  away from the country it should draw some moisture away however that doesn’t mean to say that the rainfall will stop but we will see less amounts of rainfall during the next few days in the week.”

As the upgrade for the excessive rainfall kicked in, Rosalez spoke about the rainfall record for last night and this morning. 

Crystal Rosalez, Forecaster, National Meteorological Service: “Looking at rainfall amount for the past  24 hours, is from 1 o’clock yesterday afternoon to 1 o’clock this afternoon. We have approximately 1 to 2 inches or less around most of the country. However, higher amounts were recorded over central and northern areas. Over the Belize district recorded about 1 to 2.75 inches of rain the bulk of it falling over the Ladyville and Hattieville area. Over the Orange Walk District, about one to two inches overall. However, the Corozal District saw up to four inches over certain areas and offshore, particularly San Pedro and Caye Caulker saw up to about five inches of rainfall during the past 24 hours.”

With the continuation of excessive rainfall, the National Hydrological Service of Belize has placed a Flash Flood Alert for the rivers in region seven (Rio Hondo, Blue Creek North, Santa Cruz, San Antonio and the New River) and also the rivers in region nine (Mopan River, and the Belize River) including the Crooked Tree lagoon that is above normal level, however still below the causeway.