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Monthly Weather Summary, April 2020

National Meteorological Service of Belize

April is climatologically the driest month of the year in Belize. The month is characterized by dry, warm and hazy conditions. An occasional late-season cold front may cross country. Whenever such systems cross at this time of the year, they typically produce very intense thunderstorm activity.

April 2020 started off typical as seasonably warm and dry conditions prevailed across the country during the first five days of the month. A slack pressure gradient supported a light easterly to southeasterly airflow for the first three days then winds became moderate from the 4th to the 5th day. No shower activity occurred.

Fair, warm and dry weather continued on the 6th and 7th then conditions became warmer and drier from the 8th to the 10th as the country remained under the influence of a high pressure system centered over the northwest Caribbean.

Hot, dry, windy and hazy conditions dominated the country from the 11th to the 12th as a gusty easterly to southeasterly airflow developed between low pressures over southern Mexico and the Atlantic High Pressure ridge northeast of the area.

From the 13th onwards, smoke from agricultural fires in neighboring Central American countries streamed across the country but was more prevalent in western areas. The smoky conditions along with haze resulted in very hot temperatures and high humidity especially inland. Except for an isolated thunderstorm over the Maya Mountains on the 20th conditions remained very dry across the country.

The 21st saw a reprieve from the hot and smoky conditions as the flow became easterly to northeasterly. This was short-lived however, as by the 22nd the moderate to gusty easterly to southeasterly flow resumed resulting in hot, hazy, smoky and mostly dry conditions. Only isolated thunderstorms moved across the western border towards the Maya mountains during the evening of the 24th.

A moderate to gusty easterly to northeasterly surface flow prevailed over the area from the 25th to the 26th but conditions continued warm and mostly dry but less smoky and hazy. Mainly fair and warm conditions prevailed on the 27th and 28th except for a few showers or isolated thunderstorms that affected the extreme part of the Toledo district on the 28th morning.

Skies were cloudy with mostly high level clouds on the 29th while conditions remained fair over most areas except for isolated thunderstorms that developed just to the south of Punta Gorda Town during the early morning and over the west during the afternoon.

Moisture increased slightly on the 30th as a pre-frontal trough reached the extreme north of the country. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms developed over the western portion of the Cayo district and also affected some areas in the north by evening.

In summary no cold front crossed the country during April 2020 but a pre-frontal trough brought much needed rainfall to areas in the extreme west and some northern areas. Abnormally high temperatures were observed from the 13th and a severe heat wave affected the country from the 20th to the 26th.

The graphs and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of April 2020. They also give an indication of how these readings compare to the normal for the month across the stations sampled. As can be seen, most areas of the country received no rainfall except for Libertad and Spanish Lookout that recorded less than normal rainfall while Central Farm rainfall was around average. Maximum/daytime temperatures were warmer than usual with Belmopan and Central Farm registering temperatures greater than 35 degrees Celsius for several days and extremes of 40.3 and 40.9 degrees Celsius respectively on April 24th. Nighttime (minimum) temperatures were warmer than normal for all stations except for Punta Gorda where nighttime temperatures were a bit cooler than normal.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures

Monthly Weather Summary, May 2020

National Meteorological Service of Belize

Climatologically May is the warmest month of the year in Belize. The first part of the month is typically characterized by warm, dry and hazy conditions. However, this month is also the transition month from the dry to the wet season across the country. Therefore, the rains usually start in the south after the first week of May and gradually make their way northwards.

May 2020 started mainly fair across the country with only isolated thunderstorms over the Maya Mountains in the afternoon on the first day. A light easterly to northeasterly surface flow prevailed due to a pre-frontal trough that was located just east of the country. However, the cold front only reached as far as southern Yucatan on the second where the tail end dissipated. Showers were generally isolated and affected coastal areas in the morning and mountainous areas during the afternoon. From the 3rd to the 4th, weather conditions continued mostly fair except for isolated showers along with isolated thunderstorms over the mountains in the afternoon and over the Toledo district at night. Rain and thunderstorms affected Punta Gorda on the morning of the 5th supported by relatively moist and divergent conditions aloft. Elsewhere generally fair weather conditions prevailed.

Moist and unstable conditions prevailed across the country from the 6th as a high pressure system behind a stationary front over the southern Gulf of Mexico induced a northeasterly and easterly to northeasterly airflow over the area. Skies were mostly cloudy with isolated showers over central areas on the 6th morning and isolated thunderstorms over the south and near the western border during the afternoon then several showers affected most areas overnight. The cloudiness persisted on the 7th and a few showers and thunderstorms affected inland areas in the morning and spread over most areas during the afternoon but were concentrated mainly over the south by nightfall. Skies remained cloudy on the 8th and 9th as showers and thunderstorms continued to affect the country but especially southern and coastal areas at night and during the morning then northern and inland areas during the afternoon and evening. The 10th saw a gradual decrease in moisture and instability with only isolated thunderstorms over the mountains, coastal Toledo and near San Pedro in the afternoon. Elsewhere only isolated showers developed.

Mainly fair weather prevailed during the daytime on the 11th and only isolated showers developed over the northern half of the country including the airport overnight. A low pressure system was over the northwest Caribbean Sea with a weak surface trough near the coast of Belize. This feature was shallow and did not produce any significant weather across the country. From the 12th to the 14th a light easterly to southeasterly airflow supported mostly fair and warm conditions with only isolated afternoon thunderstorms over the Maya Mountains.

The main feature on the 15th was a low pressure system near the western tip of Cuba that showed a high potential for tropical cyclone development. However, weather conditions continued warm and mostly dry over the country with only isolated afternoon thunderstorms over the Maya Mountains.

The 16th afternoon saw the formation of the first tropical depression for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season off the central coast of Florida. Later that night the depression strengthened northeast of Florida and became Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named storm of the season. Meanwhile conditions remained generally fair and warm throughout the daytime of the 17th as a moderate easterly to southeasterly airflow dominated the country. However, overnight thunderstorm activity over the south resulted in close to an inch of rainfall in Placencia and almost two inches in Punta Gorda.

The 18th started off fair and warm across the country but by afternoon a few thunderstorms developed mainly over northern and central coastal areas as a relatively moist northeasterly surface flow prevailed supported by moist and divergent upper level conditions. Showers and thunderstorms increased overnight and affected the entire country resulting in one to two inches of rainfall over northern and central areas. The 19th to the 21st saw mainly fair and warm weather except for isolated showers and thunderstorms over the mountains during the afternoons and over the south at night.

Weather conditions continued fair and warm during the 22nd morning then intense thunderstorms developed along the northwestern and western border as well as over the Toledo district in the afternoon. This activity persisted and spread to northern and central areas during the night.

Moisture decreased from the 23rd to the 25th even though a weak tropical wave crossed the country on the 24th. Isolated thunderstorms developed over the mountains during the afternoons and over the north on the evening of the 24th then over the extreme south during the night of the 25th. Elsewhere hot and dry conditions prevailed during this period.

Moisture increased slightly on the 26th as another tropical wave approached the country. Skies were cloudy in the morning with mostly layered clouds but only isolated thunderstorms occurred over the mountains in the afternoon. However showers and thunderstorms affected inland and northern areas the first part of the night then southern areas later that night with the activity continuing over the Stann Creek district through to the morning of the 27th. The tropical wave crossed the country before midday on the 27th with isolated showers and thunderstorms just south of Belize City in the morning and along the coast during the night. Cloudy conditions persisted over the country through to the 28th with isolated showers and thunderstorms affecting northern districts in the afternoon and the Toledo district during the night.

The last few days of the month saw the development of a broad cyclonic gyre over the eastern Pacific that supported the advection of deep moisture into Central America. Weather conditions remained generally fair during the daytime on the 29th with a few showers and isolated thunderstorms that affected mainly the north and some central areas of the country. However, later that night intense thunderstorms and heavy persistent showers affected Belmopan and its surrounding areas as well as areas along the Hummingbird Highway as far south as Middlesex. This activity produced excessive rainfall that resulted in extreme flooding in Belmopan and along portions of the George Price Highway on the morning of the 30th.

Tropical Depression Two formed over the eastern Pacific on the 30th afternoon and was projected to move northward and dissipate over southern Guatemala. The system continued to support moisture advection over the country resulting in cloudy conditions along with a few showers and thunderstorms especially over the south at first then showers and thunderstorms increased over central areas during the night.

Tropical Depression Two-E was upgraded to Tropical Storm Amanda early on the morning of the 31st before making landfall in southern Guatemala where it quickly dissipated over the mountains. However, its remnants continued to track slowly northward resulting in cloudy to overcast skies across the country and heavy rains with severe thunderstorms especially over central and northern portions of the country. Flooding conditions were reported in some areas including Belize City and municipalities in the north.

In summary two tropical waves crossed the country and two tropical cyclones formed outside the conventional June to November time period, namely Tropical Storm Arthur on May 16 and Tropical Storm Bertha on May 27. Tropical Depression Two-E/Tropical Storm Amanda that developed over the eastern Pacific basin dumped 12-13 inches of rain over the interior of the country at the end of May 2020.

The graphs and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of May 2020. They also give an indication of how these readings compare to the normal for the month across the stations sampled. As can be seen, rainfall was well above normal over most of the country with Belmopan receiving almost five times the normal amount of rainfall for May. Meanwhile rainfall was slightly below normal along the coast of the Stann Creek district. Both daytime (maximum) and nighttime (minimum) temperatures were above normal for most of the stations sampled with only Punta Gorda recording cooler than normal nighttime temperatures.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: January 2020 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: January 2020 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, June 2020

National Meteorological Service of Belize

The month of June marks the official beginning of the Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season. In Belize it is also the first full month of the rainy season which usually starts around mid-May. June is climatologically the wettest month of the year at the airport and also at many of the weather stations across the country. Weather systems that typically produce rain during this month include tropical waves, Tropical Upper Tropospheric Troughs (TUTTs) and very rarely tropical cyclones.

June 2020 started off moist and unstable as the remnant low pressure system from Tropical Storm Amanda moved across Central America to the Bay of Campeche where it was upgraded to Tropical Depression number 3. As a result skies were cloudy on the 1st with a few showers and thunderstorms mainly over northern areas. Showers and thunderstorms increased overnight starting in the south then spread to central and northern areas on the 2nd as Tropical Depression number 3 became Tropical Storm Cristobal around midday. Skies remained mostly cloudy on the 3rd with isolated thunderstorms and rain over northern and along some coastal areas during the daytime but showers and thunderstorms increased over the north later that night. Tropical Storm Cristobal was downgraded to a depression over southern Mexico on the 4th and even though skies were cloudy rainfall was minimal. Showers and thunderstorms increased again that night and affected mostly northern and central areas. Libertad recorded 119.4 mm (4.7 inches) and Towerhill received 75.4 mm (2.97 inches) of rainfall while Belize City recorded 55.8 mm (2.2 inches) from 9am on the 4th up to 9am on the 5th.

By midday on the 5th Tropical Depression Cristobal regained tropical storm strength a few miles southeast of Merida, Mexico. As a result conditions remained relatively moist from the 5th to the 6th as a broad area of low pressure associated with Tropical Storm Cristobal dominated the area. Showers and thunderstorms were generally isolated and occurred mainly inland and along northern coastal areas.

Tropical Storm Cristobal made landfall along the southeastern coast of Louisiana on the 7th evening while mainly fair and warm conditions prevailed over the country through to the 9th with only isolated afternoon thunderstorms over the Maya Mountains. A weak tropical wave crossed over the country during the evening of 10th but did not produce any significant rainfall.

A light and relatively moist easterly to northeasterly airflow prevailed over the area from the 11th to the 12th that supported a few showers and isolated thunderstorms mostly over the north, coast and south. Relatively moist conditions continued to dominate the area on the 13th resulting in a few showers and isolated thunderstorms over the Orange Walk and Toledo districts.

Another tropical wave moved across the country during the afternoon of the 14th and supported the development of a line of showers and thunderstorms just inland from the coast, which moved further inland and persisted through to the evening. The activity continued on the 15th mostly over inland and southern areas in the afternoon and evening then north and along the coast overnight.

A strong tropical wave approached early on the 16th which crossed the country later that day. Conditions became increasingly moist over the area along with an increase in divergence at the upper levels. Skies were cloudy to overcast and showers and thunderstorms affected northern and southern coastal areas on the 16th morning then most areas in the afternoon and mainly southern areas during the night. Moist and unstable conditions persisted over the area on the 17th resulting in thunderstorms, showers and periods of rain over central and offshore areas in the morning, northern and southern areas in the afternoon then most areas overnight. Rainfall records from 9am on the 17th through 9am on the 18th show that Hershey on the Hummingbird Highway recorded the most rainfall with a total of 295.6 mm (11.64 inches) while Savannah received 224.2 mm (8.8 inches), Middlesex village recorded 134.6 mm (5.30 inches) and Belmopan received 123.0 mm (4.84 inches) .As a result on the 18th morning, flooding was reported in several communities across the country but the floods were most damaging along the George Price Highway where a section was washed away that rendered the highway impassable, while a portion of the Southern Highway was submerged. Skies remained cloudy to overcast on the 18th but the activity gradually decreased as showers and thunderstorms affected mostly the north in the afternoon then a few showers and isolated thunderstorms occurred over central and southern areas later that night.

A moderate but relatively dry easterly airflow dominated the country from the 19th to the 20th and supported generally fair weather, except for a few light showers over central inland areas during the 19th afternoon then isolated showers and isolated thunderstorms over coastal areas of the Toledo district during the night of the 20th.

A fairly weak tropical wave crossed the country on the 21st and supported cloudy spells with isolated thunderstorms and showers mainly over northern inland areas during the daytime and over the south during the night. A moderate to gusty easterly airflow prevailed on the 22nd and another weak tropical wave moved across the country later that night with thunderstorms and showers only over the Toledo district. Elsewhere warm and windy conditions prevailed.

Tropical Storm Dolly formed over the North Atlantic, south of Canada around midday on the 23rd. Meanwhile warm and windy conditions along with haze from the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) prevailed across much of the country and showers were generally isolated. Another weak wave traversed the area on the 24th afternoon but had little effect on the persistent hazy and dry conditions.

A tight pressure gradient over the area maintained a moderate to gusty easterly airflow and the Saharan Air Layer continued to produce hazy conditions resulting in reduced visibility over some areas from the 25th to the 26th. Shower activity was minimal until the night of the 26th when yet another tropical wave approached and supported a few showers over southern and central areas. The wave crossed the country after midday on the 27th with only isolated showers mainly over central areas. Interaction between the tropical wave and an upper level trough on the 28th resulted in a few showers and isolated thunderstorms over the south and east of the country in the morning then during the afternoon showers and thunderstorms developed over central and northern areas before increasing and spreading to most areas overnight.

The last two days of the month saw a return to mainly fair conditions with a light to moderate easterly airflow as the Atlantic High Pressure system dominated the area. Isolated showers and thunderstorms occurred over the Stann Creek and Toledo districts on the night of the 29th and over southern Toledo and near Maskall village during the night of the 30th.

In summary, two excessive rainfall events that led to flooding occurred in June 2020. The first was associated with Tropical Depression Cristobal on the 4th that resulted in floods in the northern districts while the second was due to a strong tropical wave that had upper level support from a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough (TUTT) as it moved across the country on the 16th. The wave produced heavy showers and thunderstorms over most areas from the 16th to the 18th resulting in damaging floods over some areas in the west and south. A total of seven tropical waves crossed the country in June 2020. The graphs and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of June 2020. They also give an indication of how these readings compare to the normal for the month across the stations sampled. As can be seen, rainfall was above normal over the north but below normal for central and southern areas except for Central Farm in the Cayo district and Savannah in the Stann Creek district. Meanwhile rainfall was well below normal over the Toledo district. Maximum/daytime temperatures were above normal in the north, near normal over central areas and above normal for most of the south except for Savannah that had near normal high temperatures. Minimum/nighttime temperatures were above normal for most of the stations except for near normal temperatures at Towerhill and cooler than normal temperatures in Punta Gorda.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: January 2020 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: January 2020 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, July 2020

National Meteorological Service of Belize

July, on average, is the second wettest month of the year for the country of Belize. Systems that affect the country during this month normally include tropical waves, tropical upper tropospheric troughs (TUTTs) and occasionally tropical cyclones.

Relatively moist and unstable conditions prevailed at the beginning of July 2020 as a tropical wave approached on the 1st and crossed the country during the morning of the 2nd. Isolated showers and thunderstorms affected inland and some central areas during the daytime on the 1st then a few showers and thunderstorms occurred over most areas during the night and persisted through to the 2nd morning. The activity resumed later that night and continued on the 3rd especially over the Cayo and Orange Walk districts during the morning, then over the extreme south overnight. Conditions remained moist and unstable on the 4th as another tropical wave moved over the area and supported thunderstorm activity over the Belize district in the morning and over inland areas in the afternoon then over southern areas during the night.

Generally fair conditions prevailed over most of the country from the 5th through to the 7th as the Atlantic High Pressure Ridge supported a moderate easterly to southeasterly surface flow. As a result, only isolated thunderstorms and isolated showers developed mainly over the Toledo district. A weak tropical wave crossed the country during the afternoon of the 8th but this did not produce any significant rainfall so conditions remained warm and mostly dry. Except for isolated afternoon thunderstorms and showers over the northwest part of the Orange Walk district on the 9th mainly fair, warm and dry conditions prevailed. Tropical Storm Fay formed near the eastern coast of the United States around mid-afternoon.

A tropical wave crossed the country early on the 10th supporting a few showers inland during the daytime then showers and thunderstorms affected mostly the south later that night through to the early morning of the 11th. Both automatic weather stations in Punta Gorda recorded 4.5 inches of rainfall between midnight and 6 am on the 11th. Mainly fair weather prevailed the remainder of the 11th through to the 12th then another tropical wave moved across the country around midnight on the 13th supporting a few showers and thunderstorms over the south during the morning then the activity increased over the Toledo district during the night. Punta Gorda received 142.2 mm (5.59 inches) of rainfall that resulted in localized flooding on the 14th morning. Showers and thunderstorms remained mostly offshore during the morning of the 14th and affected the cayes then isolated thunderstorms and showers developed over inland and southern areas during the afternoon and night.

A moderate easterly to northeasterly airflow prevailed on the 15th as a weak tropical wave crossed the country during the early morning hours. This wave did not generate any significant rainfall, so showers remained isolated from the 15th to the 16th.

A tropical upper tropospheric trough (TUTT) supported an increase in upper level divergence and moisture on the 17th which resulted in relatively moist and unstable conditions over the area. Showers and thunderstorms affected mainly coastal and northern areas of the country during the daytime then mostly the Toledo district during the night. Moisture increased further on the 18th as a tropical wave approached and supported thunderstorms and periods of rain mainly along the coast and over southern districts in the morning then isolated thunderstorms developed over the Orange Walk and Cayo districts in the afternoon.

Relatively dry conditions prevailed from the 19th to the 21st over much of the country. Showers and thunderstorms were isolated and occurred mostly inland during the afternoons and over the south during the nighttime hours. This was followed by a brief increase in moisture on the 22nd due to passage of a tropical wave coupled with favorable conditions at the upper levels. This supported the development of some showers and a few thunderstorms in the south during the night. Tropical Depression Eight formed over the Gulf of Mexico later that evening.

The 23rd saw only isolated thunderstorms developing over northern and western portions of the country. Tropical Depression Eight strengthened into Tropical Storm Hanna. Mainly fair and warm conditions prevailed on the 24th even though another weak tropical wave moved over the area.

Conditions remained generally fair and warm on the 25th with only isolated showers or thunderstorms inland during the afternoon time and over the south at night. Another weak tropical wave crossed over the area late on the 26th and supported a few showers and thunderstorms mostly over southern Belize. The weather stations in Punta Gorda recorded 15.0 mm (0.59 inches) and 13.2 mm (0.52 inches) of rainfall.

A fresh to gusty easterly airflow prevailed on the 27th and supported mainly fair and warm conditions across the country. Except for isolated thunderstorms over the Maya mountains and isolated showers over central areas, rainfall activity was minimal. Similar weather prevailed on the 28th except for isolated thunderstorms over the Orange Walk district during the evening.

Another tropical wave crossed the country during the early morning hours of the 29th supporting an increase in moisture and instability resulting in a few showers and thunderstorms over the south at first then especially over the northern districts in the afternoon. The activity persisted throughout the night and into the morning of the 30th mainly over southern and central areas of the country then spreading to northern areas during the afternoon.

The last tropical wave for the month of July 2020 moved across the country during the early morning of the 31st with no significant convective activity as generally fair weather prevailed across the country with only isolated showers and an isolated afternoon thunderstorm along the southwest border.

Twelve tropical waves crossed the country in July 2020, these were mostly weak and as a result rainfall was well below normal across the country. The graph and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of July 2020. They also give an indication of how these readings compare to the normal for the month across the stations sampled. As can be seen, rainfall was below normal for the entire country during the month. In terms of maximum/daytime temperatures, all of the stations show daytime temperatures were warmer than normal during July 2020. Minimum/nighttime temperatures were near normal at Towerhill in the north and at Savannah in southern Stann Creek, and above normal over the rest of the country, except for Central Farm and Punta Gorda where nighttime temperatures were slightly cooler than normal for the month.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: January 2020 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: January 2020 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, August 2020

National Meteorological Service of Belize

Climatologically speaking, August is known for its two weeks dry spell known locally as the "maga season". As a result, a marked drop in rainfall can be seen around August when looking at the annual rainfall distribution for the country. Weather systems that typically affect Belize during the month of August are Tropical Waves (TWs), Tropical Upper Tropospheric Troughs (TUTTs) and an occasional Tropical Cyclone (TCs) (tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane).

The first day of August 2020 started off mostly dry with showers and thunderstorms being generally isolated and confined to the south. Generally fair weather persisted from the 2nd through to the 4th of the month with only isolated showers and thunderstorms over northern and inland areas during the afternoons and over the south at nights. A tropical wave approached the area on the 5th and supported an increase in moisture which resulted in a few showers and thunderstorms over southern areas in the morning then mostly northern and central areas in the afternoon. The activity decreased and then resumed overnight mainly along the coast and over the north.

The tropical wave crossed the country on the 6th morning and maintained relatively moist conditions. This resulted in a few showers and thunderstorms affecting central and northern districts in the morning with the activity increasing over central inland areas during the night. By the 7th the moisture gradually decreased but a few showers and isolated thunderstorms lingered over the area. A gusty easterly airflow prevailed on the 8th and showers and thunderstorms affected central and northern areas in the morning then the activity decreased during the afternoon.

The second tropical wave for August 2020 approached the country on the 9th and moved across the country during the evening of the 10th. The approach of this wave supported an increase in moisture resulting in some showers, thunderstorms and periods of rain mainly over the Belize district and over inland areas in the afternoon then over the Toledo district during the night. Conditions continued cloudy on the 10th but showers and thunderstorms gradually decreased during the day then redeveloped and affected most areas overnight.

Mainly fair weather prevailed over the area from the 11th to the 12th with the exception of the Toledo district at nighttime where a few showers and thunderstorms developed. A weak tropical wave crossed the country on the 13th and supported early morning isolated showers over the Toledo district and along the coast then the activity shifted to the interior by midday.

Relatively dry conditions prevailed from the 14th to the 16th with slightly more activity over southern areas in the nighttime and over inland areas during the afternoon hours. Another weak tropical wave moved across the country early on the 15th.

A relatively moist easterly to northeasterly airflow prevailed on the 17th which supported cloudy conditions along with showers and thunderstorms over central areas after mid-morning then over inland areas in the afternoon. Overnight a further increase in moisture supported the development of some showers and a few thunderstorms across the country that persisted through to the 18th morning with the activity becoming generally isolated during the afternoon. Generally fair conditions dominated most of the country on the 19th except for isolated afternoon thunderstorms that developed over the Orange Walk and Cayo districts.

The 20th morning saw the development of Tropical Depression Fourteen over the west-central Caribbean Sea with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour. A light easterly to southeasterly flow prevailed over the country and weather conditions were mostly fair except for isolated thunderstorms that developed over the mountains in the afternoon and over the Toledo district during the night. Tropical Depression Fourteen was about 240 miles east of Corozal Town on the 21st but mainly fair weather prevailed on the mainland and isolated thunderstorms remained mostly offshore.

Another weak tropical wave crossed the country on the 22nd resulting in isolated thunderstorms and showers over the Belize district in the morning then over northern districts and the mountains in the afternoon as well as over the Toledo district overnight. Slightly moist conditions and an easterly airflow prevailed from the 23rd to the 24th with only isolated thunderstorm and shower activity.

Mainly fair and warm weather prevailed across the country from the 25th to the 26th as a light easterly to southeasterly flow dominated the area. Showers and thunderstorms continued isolated and developed primarily over the mountains during the afternoon time and over the Toledo district at night time. A weak tropical wave passed south of the country on the 25th.

A relatively dry easterly to southeasterly airflow dominated most of the country from the 26th to the end of the month. During this period a tropical wave crossed on the 27th afternoon but this system was weak and produced only isolated showers and thunderstorms over the Corozal and Cayo districts in the afternoon then over the Toledo district overnight. The last tropical wave for the month crossed early on the morning of the 30th but was also very weak and inactive with only isolated showers and thunderstorms confined to the Toledo district.

Several tropical waves crossed the country in August 2020 but they were mostly weak and did not produce significant amounts of rainfall. As a result rainfall was below normal for most of the country except for inland areas. The graph and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of August 2020. They also give an indication of how these readings compare to the normal for the month across the stations sampled. As can be seen, rainfall was above normal only in the Cayo district while the remainder of the country received significantly lower than average rainfall. In terms of maximum/daytime temperatures, all of the stations sampled show that daytime temperatures were warmer than normal during August 2020. Nighttime/minimum temperatures were warmer than normal, except for Punta Gorda where nighttime temperatures were slightly cooler than normal.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: August 2020 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: August 2020 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, September 2020

National Meteorological Service of Belize

September is typically a wet month for the country of Belize. It also coincides with the peak of the Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season and a significant amount of the historical tropical cyclones that have affected the country occurred during the month of September. Apart from tropical cyclones, other systems that typically affect Belize during the month of September include tropical waves, Tropical Upper Troposheric Troughs (TUTTs) and at times cold fronts and frontal shear lines affect the country as early as September.

The morning of September first 2020 saw the development of Tropical Storm Nana over the central Caribbean Sea, with maximum sustained winds of 50mph. Tropical Storm Nana was moving west at 18mph and was projected to make landfall on Belize, prompting a tropical storm watch for the entire coastline of the country. In the evening, the tropical storm watch was upgraded to a hurricane watch as the official forecast from the National Hurricane Center was for the system to become a hurricane before making landfall. However, mainly fair and warm weather prevailed over most areas on that day. At 9am on the second of September a hurricane warning was issued from Belize City to the southern border as the projection was for a category 1 hurricane to make landfall near southern Belize within 24 hours. Tropical Storm Nana had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and continued to track westward at 17 mph. Isolated thunderstorms and showers started to affect northern districts in the afternoon then coastal areas by early evening. At 6pm Tropical Storm Nana was about 100 miles east-southeast of Belize City and at 9pm, was about 48 miles east of Dangriga Town and about 60 miles southeast of Belize City. At that time Nana was upgraded to a hurricane as maximum sustained winds had increased to near 75 mph. In Belize City, winds were gusting to near tropical storm force strength and the projected area for landfall was south of Dangriga, and near to Hopkins village in the Stann Creek District. Hurricane Nana made landfall around 11:45pm in this general area. Some reports suggest hurricane force winds occurred in the Hopkins area and a weather station at Carrie Bow Caye, reported sustained winds of 61mph with gust of up to 75 mph.

Hurricane Nana weakened to a tropical storm soon after landfall, with gusty winds impacting mostly inland areas and heavy rainfall mainly over the Toledo district. Later that morning of the 3rd the storm was further downgraded to a tropical depression over the southwest portion of the country. Winds had decreased but heavy rainfall continued to affect the Toledo district.

The approach of a tropical wave on the 4th led to an increase in moisture resulting in a few showers and thunderstorms around the country that continued on the 5th during the passage of the wave. Showers and thunderstorms increased on the night of the 5th through to the early morning of the 6th with the activity gradually decreasing during the day.

A slack pressure pattern dominated across the area from the 7th through to the 11th and conditions were relatively moist. Showers and thunderstorms were generally isolated during the period except for a few showers and thunderstorms that affected most areas during the night of the 9th.

The second tropical wave for the month crossed the country around midnight on the 12th and supported a few showers and isolated thunderstorms mostly over the Orange Walk district and over southern coastal areas with only isolated activity later that morning. Conditions continued relatively moist on the 13th supporting a few showers and isolated thunderstorms inland, north and south in the afternoon.

Moisture decreased over the area from the 14th to the 20th and a slack pressure gradient maintained light and variable winds. Warm and mostly fair weather prevailed from the 14th to the 17th with only isolated thunderstorms and isolated showers inland in the afternoons and over the Toledo district at nights. A warning for severe thunderstorms was issued after mid-morning on the 18th as strong thunderstorms affected most areas of the country except the Toledo district. This warning was discontinued by early evening as only isolated thunderstorms and isolated showers developed along the coast and over the south during the latter part of the evening. Conditions continued warm and mostly fair with only isolated activity on the 19th and 20th.

Generally fair conditions prevailed across the country from the 21st through to the 24th. Showers and thunderstorms were generally isolated with a few more along with isolated thunderstorms at nights over the Toledo district. A few showers and isolated thunderstorms occurred mostly over northern and coastal areas on the 25th as a low center dominated the country. The 26th to the 28th saw a return to mostly dry conditions during the daytime with only isolated thunderstorm activity over the mountains in the afternoon and over southern districts during the night time.

The last two days of the month were relatively moist as a pre-frontal trough over the Yucatan Peninsula supported a light easterly to northeasterly airflow over the area. Showers and thunderstorms affected mostly northern and central areas on the 29th then spread to other areas of the country on the 30th.

In summary, on September 2nd the country experienced its first hurricane landfall for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season, namely Hurricane Nana. The strongest winds occurred north of the storm's center and the heaviest rainfall occurred south of the center in Corazon village, Toledo district where 144mm (5.7inches) was recorded. Although the country received some rainfall associated with Hurricane Nana and the passage of two tropical waves, the total rainfall recorded for September 2020 was mostly below normal. The graph and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperatures. They also give an indication of how these readings compare to the normal for the month across the stations sampled. As can be seen, rainfall was below normal for most of the country except for Towerhill in the Orange Walk district that recorded slightly above normal rainfall. In terms of maximum temperatures all of the stations sampled show higher than average maximum/daytime temperatures while minimum/nighttime temperatures were above normal for all the stations except for Towerhill in the north and Punta Gorda in the south.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: September 2020 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: September 2020 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, October 2020

National Meteorological Service of Belize

October is typically a wet month for the country of Belize, signaling the secondary peak of the rainy season over most areas and coinciding with the peak of the Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season. The second largest amount of historical tropical cyclones have also affected the country during the month of October. Additionally, other systems such as tropical waves, Upper Level Troughs (UTLs), Surface Troughs (SfTs) and occasional early season cold fronts and frontal shear lines influences the month of October's rainfall.

Being in the peak of the Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season, the month of October started off rather active with the developement of two tropical depressions (#25 and #26) that would later develop into Tropical Storm Gamma and Hurricane Delta, respectively, within the first week of the month. Conditions over Belize were moist and unstable during the 1st to the 3rd due to the development of a broad area of low pressure over the western Caribbean sea, an inverted trough east of the country, and tropical depression 25 east of Belize, enhacing a divergent upper level pattern over the area, supporting the development of showers and thunderstorms over the country. These showers and thunderstorms gradually decreased on the 3rd into the 4th with most activity occuring over offshore areas and the northern districts that were being supported by a stationary front over the Yucatan Peninsula. Lingering moisture over the area supported cloudy skies with mostly layered clouds and no significant rainfall activity. The proximity of these tropical systems resulted in a light westerly surface flow across the country which later became strong and gusty due to the approach of hurricane Delta that had formed to the south-southwest of Jamaica on October 6th. A feeder band from hurricane Delta resulted in moderate to heavy rainfall over the northern and some central portions of the country late night on Octover 6th into early morning on the 7th with the highest rainfall amount being recorded at the Tower Hill Station. Hurricane Delta quickly moved on a northwesterly path and by October 8th, was over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico before making landfall in Louisiana, United States. An Upper Level Cyclone along with a Northeasterly to Southwesterly oriented Upper Level TUTT overnight thunderstorms concentrated over the southern districts started over the Toledo district and progressing northward late night on Octover 8th into early morning on 9th October with the Punta Gorda station recording 80mm of rinfall.

Drier conditions prevailed from the 9th though to the 14th in week two over most areas with only isolated showers or thunderstorms developing. This was supported by a dry east to southerly suface flow and over the area. The upper level pattern throughout the period was primarliy neutral coupled with a relatively dry mid-upper levels. The wet spots during this period occured in the southern parts of the country around the 12 to 14 October as a result of an approaching tropical wave which was east of Belize and a moist northeasterly airflow due to troughing over the area. This tropical wave enhanced shower and thunderstorm activity in the south leading to 68.7mm of rainfall in Melinda on the 12th and 119.7mm of rainfall in Savannah on October 13. A moist northeasterly surface flow prevailed over the area along with an upper level trough, producing a southwesterly upper level flow and divergent conditions across the country from Octover 14 to 18 October. The increase in moisture and instability led to the development of a few showers and thunderstorms around the country, especially over central and southern areas. A second tropical wave crossed the country on October 19 leading to a few showers and thunderstorms over most areas of the country, decreasing to light periods of rain on the 20th.

Moist conditions persisted in the latter quater of the month as a broad area of low pressure developed over the west-central Caribbean that progressed westward towards the country on the 21st and 22nd, however, this system supported only brief and isolated showers. A west to southwesterly surface flow prevailed over the area supporting keeping most of the showery activity offshore associated with the braod low. During the 22nd-23, this system has a low chance of developing into a tropical cylone as it moved slowly north or northwestward. On October 24, however, the system started to become better organized and had a high chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. This system supported some showers over most areas of the country. The surface flow had shifted to a more east to northeasterly flow and dry conditions prevailed at the upper levels with a neutral pattern, except for over the extreme south of the country. By the early morning on the 25th, the broad low had developed into tropical storm Zeta which formed over the NW Caribbean and Zeta continues to rapidly streghten as developed into a hurricane late on the night of 26 October. Between October 27 to October 28, skies were cloudy over the area due to lingering moisture from Hurricane Zeta but shower and thunderstorm activity over the country were minimal, except for over the south. The month ended with pre-frontal activiy over the area due to an approaching cold front over the Yucatan Peninsula which supported some showers and periods of rain along with severe thundestorms over the south late night on the 28th into early morning on the 29th, resulting in the Punta Gorda station recording 109mm of rainfall. Rainfall gradually decreased over the south October 30 to 31 and isolated showers and thunderstorms were recorded elsewhere. Additionally, Tropical Depression 29 formed over the Central Caribbean Sea.

The graph and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperatures. They also give an indication of how these readings compare to the normal for the month across the stations sampled. As can be seen, rainfall was above normal over the northern and southern districts with normal to below normal rainfall recorded over the remainder of the country. In terms of maximum temperatures, the stations sampled show near normal to slightly above normal maximum/daytime temperatures, while minimum/nighttime temperatures were above normal for all the stations except for Punta Gorda in the south.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: October 2020 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: October 2020 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, November 2020

National Meteorological Service of Belize

November marks the end of the Atlantic Basin hurricane season and the start of the cool transition into the dry season for Belize. By this time, rainfall across the country associated with tropical cyclones and waves typically begin to decrease. During this month, the systems that contribute to the monthly rainfall are Upper Level Troughs (UTLs), Surface Troughs (SfTs), and the increase of frontal systems such as cold and stationary fronts.

November 2020 started off moist and unstable due to the development from Tropical Storm Eta which formed east of the Nicaragua/Honduras border. A moist northeasterly surface airflow prevailed, advecting moisture over mainland Belize. This resulted in increased cloudiness and the development of moderate to heavy rainfall particularly in the central regions of the country on the afternoon of November 1. As Eta approached the coast of Nicaragua on November 2, it rapidly intensified and became a major category 4 hurricane tracking on a west to west- southerly path. The pressure gradient tightened over the area leading to a moderate to occasionally gusty north to northwesterly surface flow between November 2 and 3. Conditions became very moist in the low through to the upper levels in a neutral to weakly divergent environment and supported a few showers and isolated thunderstorms mainly offshore the coast of Belize and beyond the barrier reef. Numerous showers, periods of rain and a few thunderstorms developed and persisted across the country on November 4 as hurricane Eta moved inland over Central America. This activity persisted and peaked on November 5 especially over the Maya mountains, Central and Coastal Belize as Tropical Depression Eta re-emerged in the Gulf of Honduras and paralleled the coast of Belize moving towards the Northeast and away from the country on November 6 towards Cayman Island and Western Cuba. The Baldy Beacon station in the Mountain Pine Ridge area observed over 20 inches of rainfall of the 10 to 20 inches forecasted to affect the country, while Central Coastal and offshore areas such as Gales Point, the airport station and San Pedro observed over 15 inches between November 1 to 6. The northern portions recorded at least 5 inches of rainfall. Major flooding occurred as a result of this system, especially in the Cayo and Belize districts damaging homes, roads and other infrastructure. By late night November 6 through to November 7, only isolated showers were observed across the country as conditions became less moist and unstable over the area with Eta, now re-strengthened to a Tropical Storm Eta moved further away from Belize, despite a polar trough being located east of Belize associated with a low pressure system near Cuba southwestward into the Gulf of Honduras.

After the passage of Eta, a gradual decrease in moisture and instability occurred supporting the development of only isolated showers. Mainly fair and dry conditions prevailed in week 2 between November 8 to 13 due to a broad circulation from Tropical Storm Eta and a slack pressure gradient which supported a light west to south westerly surface flow across Belize. During this period, the upper level pattern was neutral to weakly convergent due to a high-pressure ridge over the Caribbean basin and a north and northeasterly upper level wind component. By November 13 a tropical wave which was showing signs of development over the Central Caribbean developed into Tropical Depression 31 then later into Tropical Storm Iota that same day. Over Belize, the surface flow was a light northwesterly flow which veered to the northeast. Generally fair weather prevailed at first on the 13th before the development of a few showers and periods of rain over the northern districts and the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains. Low level moisture increased over Belize on November 14 with a trough over the northwest Caribbean supporting an increase in cloudiness with layered and stratified clouds that supported consistent rain over central coastal areas but only isolated showers and thunderstorms elsewhere with significant deep convection inhibited by dry and convergent upper levels over the area.

The third week of November saw another increase in rainfall activity across Belize as the country's rainfall began to be influenced by the development of Tropical Storm Iota over the southern Caribbean Sea. TS Iota moved in a west to southwesterly direction towards the Nicaragua/Honduras border on November 15 and light northeasterly surface flow prevailed with a slack pressure gradient and a ridging, dry and convergent pattern at the upper levels with only isolated showers over the northern districts. As Iota approached Nicaragua/Honduras as a category 5 hurricane with winds of 160 mph on November 16, the pressure gradient tightened over Belize supporting a gusty north and northeasterly surface flow in a moist and unstable environment, however, shower activity remained isolated and concentrated mostly over offshore and southern areas. This changed on November 17 with skies becoming cloudy to overcast across the country and by late afternoon, the rains from Iota had begun affecting most areas. By November 18, Iota became a remnant low as it moved inland over Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador and rainfall from the system peaked over Belize across most stations. During this week, rainfall persisted though to the 21st as a trough over the northwest Caribbean and a tropical wave that approached and crossed the country on November 21 continued to support heavy continuous rain and frequent showers around the country, especially over northern central and offshore locations. The showers and rain with only isolated thunderstorms were further enhanced by a strong northerly swell, a moist and divergent upper level pattern due to an upper level trough over the area and a south to southeasterly upper level flow. Maximum accumulated rainfall during the November 16 to 20 period ranged from 8 to 12 inches over central and northern areas.

The last week of November was dominated by a ridging pattern at the mid to upper levels supporting a southwesterly upper level wind component and a relatively dry and neutral upper level pattern. Most of the moisture over the area was capped below 700 hPa supporting only shallow convection and cloudy spells between November 22 to 27. Some of this low level moisture being advected over the country was due to early season cold fronts north of the area over the southern Gulf of Mexico and a slight east to northeast surface flow. Showery activity was mostly isolated with periods of rain affecting northern, central and inland areas. The month ended off mainly fair and dry with a neutral upper level pattern and an anticyclone over the country supporting a south-southeasterly component and only a few light periods of rain in the early mornings over the north. On November 30, an approaching cold front over the Yucatan Peninsula seen on satellite imagery, extending just north of the country supported a patch of stratocumulus clouds and towering cumulus over southern Belize leading to a line of deep convection producing periods of rain and a few thunderstorms over the south.

The graph and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperatures. They also give an indication of how these readings compare to the normal for the month across the stations sampled. As can be seen, rainfall was above normal over the entire country due to the indirect impacts of tropical cyclones Eta and Iota as well as an active tropical wave. In terms of temperatures, the stations sampled show near normal maximum/daytime temperatures, while minimum/nighttime temperatures were above normal for all the stations except for Punta Gorda in the south.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: November 2020 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: November 2020 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, December 2020

National Meteorological Service of Belize

December falls in the cool transition period of the dry season for Belize. Rainfall during the month is normally attributed to the passage of cold and stationary frontal systems that progresses southward from the continental United States and upper and surface troughs. Typically, a frontal system crosses Belize every 10 days but December 2020 saw an average of one front per week.

In the first week of December, residual low-level moisture from the approach a cold front at the end of November that had crossed the country and became stationary over the northwest Caribbean, supporting light to moderate rain over the country between December 1 to 3. Moderate to heavy showers occurred over the Belize district and offshore areas. During this period, a light to moderate east to northeasterly surface flow prevailed, advecting low level moisture over the area. At the upper levels, however, conditions were relatively dry and convergent and an upper level jet with a ridging pattern was observed, supporting a west to southwesterly upper level wind component. Low level moisture persisted through to the end of the first week with an increase in upper level moisture over the area. The upper level pattern became weakly divergent as a broad ridge persisted over the region. No significant showery activity was observed on December 4 and 5, except for isolated showers or isolated thunderstorms over the central, southern, and mountainous areas. Early morning fog and a few showers and isolated thunderstorms over central coastal and offshore areas from a pre-frontal trough over the NW Caribbean on December 6, preceded the approach of a cold front over the northern Yucatan. The cold front crossed the country late evening on December 7, producing isolated showers over southern and offshore areas at first, increasing to a few and spreading over most areas by the afternoon. Surface winds veered to a north to northwesterly component.

The passage of the cold front and the building of a strong ridge behind it, led to mainly fair and cool weather across Belize as drier conditions began to set in from December 8 to 14. Little to no rainfall was observed across the country with only periods of light rain over southern areas due to shallow low-level moisture, as the front backed and dissipated over the northwest Caribbean. A moderate north and northwesterly surface flow prevailed, with a west to southwesterly component at the upper levels, supported by an upper level ridge over the western Caribbean. The ridge pattern over the area resulted in a very dry and convergent upper levels, suppressing any significant rainfall activity. The surface ridge began to weaken on December 13 and 14 resulting in a light east to northeasterly flow.

Dry conditions continued into the third week as a ridge over the country dominated the weather and a slack pressure gradient produced a light east and northeasterly surface flow. Only isolated showers were observed, mostly over the south country through to December 17 in a neutral environment. By December 18, moisture levels over the area had increased slightly as another cold front approached the area, extending from central Cuba to the southwest, over northern Belize. This frontal system supported a few showers and periods of light rain mainly over coastal and southern areas. Another fast-moving cold front moved into the Gulf of Mexico and became stationary over the Yucatan by December 21 supporting a moist northeasterly flow, causing an increase moisture over the area with the upper levels becoming relatively moist. This produced showers and rain across the country, particularly in central and southern locations. Ridging at the upper levels over the western and northern Caribbean supported a generally strong west to northwest component and a neutral pattern across Belize.

Mainly fair and dry weather conditions prevailed to start the week of December 22 with a ridge pattern being the main feather influencing our weather. This led to only brief isolated showers across Belize with a light easterly surface flow, while the upper levels continued dry and neutral with a west to northwesterly flow. On December 25, a swift moving cold front crossed the country and extended over central Honduras with Belizeans waking up to a cool and cloudy to overcast Christmas morning with periods of light rain and a moderate and occasionally gusty north and northwesterly airflow. Cool and variably cloudy conditions prevailed through to December 27, supported by a northwesterly surface flow from a high pressure ridge over the area behind the front. By December 28, a low-level trough over the northwestern Caribbean behind the front that had become stationary, supported a slight increase in low level moisture over Belize, producing moderate showers and periods of rain mainly over central, northern, and offshore areas that lasted until December 29. The surface winds became light to moderate from the northeast, advecting moisture from over the NW Caribbean, over Belize. The month ended relatively dry as a ridge pattern dominated the west and northwest Caribbean producing an east to southeasterly airflow over the area. At the upper levels, an anti-cyclone supported a southwesterly wind component further enhancing the dry conditions across Belize. As a result, fair and dry conditioned prevailed with little or no rainfall observed.

The graph and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperatures. They also give an indication of how these readings compare to the normal for the month across the stations sampled. As can be seen, rainfall was above normal over the northern and some southeastern portions of the country due to the passage of four cold fronts across the country, which later backed and became stationary just offshore Belize. Below normal rainfall was also observed over some central inland and the southern areas of the country, while rainfall was near normal elsewhere. In terms of temperatures, most of the stations sampled show below normal maximum/daytime temperatures, while minimum/nighttime temperatures were near normal for all the stations except for Central Farm in the West and Punta Gorda in the south.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: December 2020 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: December 2020 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, January 2021

National Meteorological Service of Belize

January is climatologically the coolest month of the year and falls at the middle of the cool transition period of the dry season for Belize. Rainfall during the month is normally attributed to the passage of frontal systems that progresses southward from the continental United States and upper and surface troughs. Typically, an average of twelve cold fronts, two stationary fronts and one warm front would crosses Belize for the month but in January 2021, an average of one front every 14 days crossed the country, with a few weak fronts passing north of the area.

The first week in the month started off relatively dry due to limited low and upper level moisture, supported by a strong high pressure ridge, extending into the Caribbean basin from the Bermuda high. This pattern suppressed rainfall activity over Belize between January 1 and 2 and 6 and 7, resulting in generally isolated showers across the country, despite a divergent upper level pattern. The slightly moist period was between January 3 to 5 as a result of the approach of a frontal system that saw a slight increase in low level moisture over the area supporting isolated showers and thunderstorms, mostly over inland areas. Little to no rainfall was observed elsewhere with a predominantly east to south-easterly low level airflow which became east to north-easterly as the front approached and passed north of the country. A persistent upper level anti-cyclone supported a south-westerly wind component in the upper levels.

On January 8, in the second week, a strong, fast moving front approached and crossed the country before becoming stationary over the Gulf of Honduras, with a strong ridge building behind the front and persisting over the north-west Caribbean. The passage of the front led to a cool, dry and light north and north-westerly airflow though to January 14. Upper level conditions continue to be relatively dry with a south-west wind component during this week and an anticyclone as the main upper level feature. Neutral conditions prevailed during the period, inhibiting any significant convection over the area with only isolated thunderstorms developing over inland areas during the passage of the front. Low level moisture increased further between January 11 and 14 due to the presence of a surface trough over the country. This surface trough supported an increase in cloudiness, a few showers and periods of light rain in the latter part of the week.

A dry period followed in the third week, with no significant rainfall activity reported and a few cloudy spells between January 15 and 18. Most of the moisture continued to be concentrated in the low levels as a stationary front passed north of the country on January 16. On January 18, however, moisture over the area began to increase in both the low and upper levels due to a moisture north-easterly surface airflow, supported by a another stationary front over the Yucatan Peninsula. This increase in moisture supported cloudy to overcast skies across the country with multilayered clouds producing periods of rain over most areas through to the 20th before becoming isolated. A neutral to weakly convergent upper level pattern was observed during the period, thus no significant deep convection was noted, coupled with a light and variable upper level wind component. At the end of the week, a drying out of the upper levels was observed and only isolated showers was noted over southern districts.

Conditions became even drier over the area in the last week, with little to no moisture available for rainfall or cloud development. This decrease in moisture lasted until January 28 as a result of a strong Bermuda high pressure ridge extending into the Caribbean and over the north-west Caribbean. The pressure gradient over the area was tight due to a low pressure system over Columbia interacting with the Bermuda high pressure ridge. Over Belize, the tight gradient supported a moderate to occasionally gusty east to southeast surface airflow. A ridge pattern was also analyzed at the upper levels supporting a south-westerly component between January 22-28 before veering and becoming north-westerly to zonal in a neutral to weakly divergent environment. Weather conditions during this week was fair and relatively dry with only isolated showers being observed up until January 27, then a few showers and periods of rain affected most areas on January 28, with cloudy spells and periods of light rain persisting through to January 30. Fair and dry conditions returned to end the month on January 31.

The graph and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperatures. They also give an indication of how these readings compare to the normal for the month across the stations sampled. As can be seen, rainfall was above normal over the northern and some central locations of the country due to the passage of one strong cold fronts across the country and the approach of several other frontal systems that passed north of the area and a surface strong that persisted over the area in the third week. Below normal rainfall was also observed over the southern areas of the country. In terms of temperatures, most of the stations sampled show below slightly above normal maximum/daytime temperatures, while minimum/nighttime temperatures were above normal for all the stations except for Punta Gorda in the south.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures