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Monthly Weather Summary, December 2021

National Meteorological Service of Belize

December begins the transition period from the wet season into the cool period of the dry season. Conditions over the area are typically cooler due to the progression of frontal systems from the southeast United States. It is also one of the months where the passage of cold fronts peak in Belize. On average, a total of eight cold fronts, two stationary fronts, eight upper-level troughs and four surface troughs would influence weather conditions and rainfall in December. Overall, rainfall was below normal over most areas, except for parts of south-eastern Belize.

The first week saw relatively dry conditions over most areas in both the low and upper levels on most days due to ridging over the area, except for the 4th where a surface trough was the main feature. Low levels winds were north to northeast up the 5th then became east to southeast on the 5th and 7th. Little upper-level support persisted this week due to a high-pressure ridge over the area with a neutral to weakly convergent pattern and a south-westerly wind component. As a result, mainly fair weather prevailed with isolated showers, except for December 3, 4 and 7 where a few showers affected mostly central and southern locations due to the low-level trough.

Moisture levels began to increase in week 2 in the low levels, but the upper levels continued relatively dry except for December 14th when a surface trough was over the northwest Caribbean. A moderate east to north-easterly airflow prevailed due to a broad low over the area from the monsoon trough over Central America. Ridging continued to dominate at the upper level and a west to south-westerly flow prevailed with a weakly divergent pattern through to the 10th. The upper-level flow became east to north-easterly for the remainder of the period as an upper level TUTT moved east of the country on the 11th and a neutral to weakly convergent pattern prevailed. Showers were isolated to start the week and gradually increased to a few affecting most areas, especially over central and southern locations. Activity increased further on December 14th with a surface trough over the Yucatan Peninsula influencing the weather leading to some showers and isolated thunderstorms over central southern and offshore areas.

Conditions continued relatively moist in week 3 with higher amounts of moisture over southern locations, except for December 18. An east to north-easterly airflow prevailed on the 15th to 17th, then became east to south-easterly on the 18th and 19th as a ridge dominated the area. At the upper levels, a weakly divergent pattern prevailed from the 15th to 17 then became neutral to weakly convergent with a south-westerly upper-level flow due to an upper-level ridge, except for the 18th and 19th where the flow was north and north-westerly. The moist conditions and somewhat unstable upper levels supporting an increase in showery activity which was further enhanced as the first cold front for the most approached and crossed the country late December 21. Some showers and a few thunderstorms continued from December 14 to the 17, especially over central and southern locations with a few elsewhere from pre-frontal activity. Showers and thunderstorms were isolated and affected mostly central and southern locations to December 20 with a few on the 21st associated with the cold front that affected mostly offshore and southern areas.

Towards the end of the month, drier conditions began to set in with limited moisture in the low levels and very dry at the upper levels as a high-pressure ridge build behind the cold front. A north and north-westerly flow prevailed on the 22nd and 23rd then it veered and became north-easterly through the 26th. A surface trough persisted to December 27th before ridging became the dominant feature over the area. The upper-level pattern was neutral to weakly convergent, and an upper-level trough extended from the Bahamas to eastern Honduras on December 22nd and 23rd, then a ridge prevailed from the 24th to 31st with a south-westerly flow. Cool and cloudy conditions lingered over the area behind the front until December 24th, the isolated showers affected mostly the coast and offshore areas on the 25 to 27. Little to no rainfall was observed to end the month.

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, most of the country continue to experience below normal rainfall, except for over some central and southern locations. In terms of temperatures, most of the stations sampled show above normal maximum/daytime and minimum/night-time temperatures.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: January 2021 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: January 2021 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, January 2022

National Meteorological Service of Belize

January is typically the most active month for frontal systems during the dry season which is one of the sources of rainfall. On average, a total of twelve cold fronts, two stationary fronts, seven upper-level troughs, three surface troughs and one warm front would influence weather conditions and rainfall in January. A total of six cold fronts, one stationary front, six surface troughs, seven high pressure systems, and two surface lows affected the country, but the dominant feature was ridging over the area. Overall, rainfall was below normal over most areas, except for parts of central and south-eastern Belize who received most of the rainfall activity from the passage of the fronts and low pressure systems.

The first week started off relatively dry over most areas but by January 3, moisture began to increase in the low levels, while upper levels continued dry due to ridging over the area. Ridging was also the dominant feature over the area during this week which supported a moderate east to south-easterly surface flow on most days, except for a moist north-easterly flow on the 3rd to the 6th due to the passage of a cold front which extended from western Cuba to Belize and a surface trough over the Yucatan and Northeast Belize of January 5th. Little upper-level support continued during this week due to a high-pressure ridge over the area with a neutral pattern becoming weakly divergent of January 7th. The upper-level flow was west to south-westerly supported by the high-pressure ridge to the west and a digging trough to the east of Belize. Fair weather prevailed the first two days of the month with moisture levels increasing as the front approached and crosses that led to showers and periods of rain affecting most areas of the country on the 3rd, then mostly over offshore areas on the 4th. Showery activity was isolated January 5th to 6th, then a slight increase occurred on the 7th with an isolated thunderstorms embedded in it and affected southern offshore locations.

Despite being in the dry season, moisture levels continued relatively high into week 2 supported by a moist north-easterly surface airflow due to the high-pressure ridge extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the western Caribbean. The upper levels were relatively moist up until January 10th with an upper-level trough supporting a west to southwest airflow in a neutral to weakly divergent pattern. The high moisture levels during this week along with the instability enhanced by an approaching frontal system yielded a few showers and isolated thunderstorms mostly over central and northern locations on the 7th and 8th. The showery activity persisted trough to January 13 and rainfall activity increased to some showers and periods of rain over offshore locations while activity was isolated on the mainland and decreased further on the 14th.

Drier conditions began to set in ahead of the passage of a cold front with a strong ridge behind. The frontal system did not have much moisture associated with it in both the lower and upper levels which were relatively dry during the period but did support a few showers and periods of rain over central and western locations along with overcast skies as it cross the country on January 16 before becoming stationary. Temperatures, however, were relatively cool supported by a moderate north to north-westerly surface flow through to the 18th. The upper-level flow continued west to south-westerly due to a near stationary trough/ridge system. Fairer conditions prevailed with mild temperatures and isolated showers as a ridging supported an east to south-easterly flow January 19 to 21 except for Punta Gorda, where 16mm of rainfall was received on the 20th. The week ended with an increase in moisture and showery activity over northern, central, and inland locations,

Although the upper levels continued very dry over the area, low level moisture in the last week except for January 25-27 which were relatively dry supported several outbreaks of showers to close off the month. This was due to the approach of a cold front that became stationary over the Yucatan Peninsula on January 22, but prefrontal activity supported scattered showers along the coast and over mountain areas. The moist east to north-easterly surface flow that prevailed due to these systems led to a few showers persisting over coastal and northern areas on January 23 and 24. A break in showery activity occurred between January 25 to 27 as a light east to south-easterly flow prevailed with a dry and stable atmosphere and only isolated showers were observed mainly offshore. On January 28, another frontal system approached with a 1012hPa low pressure system across Belize. This led to overnight showers over coastal and offshore locations shifting to central and coastal locations in the early morning. Moisture levels increase further over the areas as the strong front crossed the country of January 29 and extended over the western North Atlantic to Honduras. A broad upper-level trough was associated with this front supporting a westerly upper-level flow with a moderate to strong north to north-westerly surface flow. Light rain affected central locations with some rain and isolated showers over offshore locations. On January 31, light rain continued over some central coastal areas but decreased by afternoon as conditions over the area became drier as an east to south-easterly surface flow began to set in and a zonal flow prevailed at the upper levels.

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, most of the country continue to experience below normal rainfall, except for over some northern, central, and southern locations. In terms of temperatures, most of the stations sampled show near normal maximum/daytime except for Melinda in the south that was slightly above normal and near normal minimum/night-time temperatures, except for Belmopan and Savannah which were slightly above normal.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: January 2022 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: January 2022 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, February 2022

National Meteorological Service of Belize

February is typically the second most active month for frontal systems during the dry season which is one of the sources of rainfall. On average, a total of eight cold fronts, one stationary fronts, two upper-level troughs and one surface trough would influence weather conditions and rainfall in February, a total of two cold fronts, two stationary front, one surface trough and ten high pressure systems affected the country. Overall, rainfall was above normal over most areas, except for south-eastern Belize which received near normal due to rainfall activity from the passage of the fronts and fronts that dissipated and stalled over the area.

The first week started off relatively dry over the country through to February 4. This was due to a very dry airmass over the area with riding in both the lower and upper levels. This resulted in subsidence inhibiting any significant rainfall development as a neutral to convergent upper-level pattern prevailed. Upper-level winds were mostly zonal while near the surface, a moderate east to south-easterly flow prevailed. Skies were clear to partly cloudy during this period with little to no rainfall, except for isolated showers around the country and isolated thunderstorms over the Maya Mountains in the afternoon and evening on February 4 as a cold front approached the country and the low-level winds became north-easterly with moisture advection unto the mainland from over the northwest Caribbean. On February 5, a cold front extended from the western North Atlantic to the Yucatan Peninsula resulting in an increase in low level moisture while the upper levels continued very dry. A neutral to weakly divergent upper-level flow prevailed and supported an increase in showery activity and isolated thunderstorms around the country but mostly over central and offshore areas. The north-easterly flow behind the front supported rain over northern areas overnight on the 6 and offshore areas during the day with fair weather to end the week the 7th.

The front became stationary over the western Yucatan and moist conditions prevailed in the low levels for the remainder of the week. This was accompanied by a light to moderate north to north-easterly surface flow through to the 11th in neutral to weakly divergent conditions from a digging upper-level trough with a west to south-westerly flow. Showers were isolated on February 8th then a few showers affected central and offshore areas on February 9th. Between February 10th and 11th, no significant activity occurred on the mainland with only light rain concentrated over offshore areas. Another cold front was approaching the area on February 12th and was located over the North-western Gulf of Mexico with a deep polar trough to the west of the country supporting a few showers over northern and central locations during the morning hours. The cold front crossed the country on February 13th and extended to central Belize with showers being isolated at first, increasing and affecting the north in the afternoon, then some showers, periods of rain and isolated thunderstorms affected central and southern locations. The front became stationary near Nicaragua on the 14th and supported a windy, cool north-westerly flow as a strong ridge build over the area behind the front. Moisture levels continued very high over the area, but rainfall activity was mostly over offshore areas,

Cool temperatures prevailed into week three from the passage of the cold front with relatively moist conditions continuing in the low levels up to February 17th. Showers and light rain persisted mainly along coastal areas on the 15th, then over northern and inland locations as conditions continued neutral to weakly divergent over the country due to troughing supporting a south-westerly upper-level flow. A tight pressure gradient supported a moderate east to south-easterly flow. Conditions became drier over the area on February 18th to 21st with a high-pressure ridge supporting a moderate east to north-easterly flow and neutral to weakly convergent upper-level pattern with a broad upper-level ridge over the southwest Caribbean. This yielded a west to south-westerly flow aloft through to the end of the week. During the period, showers were isolated, except for a few more over some northern and southern locations periodically.

During the last week of the month, the main feature affecting the weather both at the lower and upper level was a ridge pattern. This supported dry conditions across the country with mostly an east to south-easterly flow in the low levels, and a south to south-westerly flow at the upper levels with a neutral to weakly divergent pattern. Showery activities were predominantly isolated, with slightly more occurring over some central and southern locations.

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, most of the country experienced above normal rainfall. In terms of temperatures, most of the stations sampled show near normal maximum/daytime except for Melinda in the south that was slightly above normal and slight above normal minimum/night-time temperatures.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: February 2022 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: February 2022 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, March 2022

National Meteorological Service of Belize

March is typically the month where frontal activity begins to decrease in Belize but also one of the months with the most upper-level troughs. On average, a total of six cold fronts, one stationary front, one warm front nine upper-level troughs and three surface troughs would influence weather conditions and rainfall. In March, a total of three cold fronts, one stationary front, three surface trough, one surface low and fourteen high pressure systems affected the country. Overall, rainfall was above normal over most areas due to rainfall activity from the passage of the fronts and fronts that dissipated and stalled over the area, except for the extreme north-western part of the country and the mountains which received near normal rainfall.

During the first week of March, moisture levels was capped below 800hPa as dry conditions continued to prevail in the mid and upper levels. A light and slightly moist north-easterly flow over the northwest Caribbean and Belize supported a few showers and periods of light rain from the first to the fourth mainly over some central, southern, and offshore areas from the tail end of a weakening cold front. These showers were shallow as limited upper-level moisture and instability existed over the area due to a neutral to weakly convergent pattern and a west to north-westerly flow most of the week from an upper-level ridge. March 5 to 7 saw drier conditions with a high-pressure ridge supporting an easterly surface flow and mainly fair weather except for March 6, where a few showers affected mostly northern and central locations.

In week two, a light to moderate east to south-easterly flow from a high-pressure ridge over the area supported fair and warm conditions across the country. No significant rainfall activity occurred March 8 through 11 except for an isolated shower and isolated thunderstorm over the Maya Mountain and near the western border. Both the lower and upper levels contained little moisture during this period with the upper level being very dry. A neutral to convergent upper-level pattern prevailed with a mostly west to north-westerly wind component that inhibited any significant rainfall activity over the area. Conditions became gradually moist from March 12 to 14 as a cold front approached the area and crossed the country early morning on March 13. Subsequently, troughing prevailed and isolated showers developed over the south on March 12 with skies becoming cloudy by March 13 and a few showers and periods of rain affected mostly central, coastal, and southern Belize. This activity continued into March 14 as conditions became moister and more unstable with a divergent upper-level pattern. A significant amount of rainfall was recorded during this period in the abovementioned locations with the highest one-day total rainfall occurring near Melinda Station on March 12, Belmopan on March 13, and Punta Gorda on March 14 with 59.3mm, 63.5 mm and 84 mm respectively. The daily rainfall record for March 13 was exceeded at the Phillip Goldson, Spanish Lookout, Central Farm, Belmopan, Savannah, and Melinda stations with values of 57.9mm, 49.7mm, 46.4mm, 63.5mm, 39.2mm and 11.4mm respectively. Only one station exceeded the Month of March daily extreme value and that was Punta Gorda with 84mm, the previous record was 77.5mm.

Ridging was the dominant factor in week three and a moderate east to south-easterly surface flow prevailing that became strong at times. At the upper levels, dry conditions persisted with a west to south-westerly flow due a broad trough supporting a neutral to weakly divergent pattern through much of the week. Despite having a slight increase in moisture in the low levels between March 16 to 19, showery activity over the area was isolated and mostly over the southern districts and Maya Mountains in the afternoon. A few more showers occurred of March 16 over Toledo. Elsewhere, fair, and warm conditions prevailed.

During the last week of the month, the main feature affecting the weather in the low level was a ridge pattern with relatively dry conditions. At the upper levels, troughing over the central Gulf of Mexico supported a west to south-westerly flow through to March 29 then the flow became north-westerly. On March 24 and 25, low level moisture increased over the area due to a cold front over the Yucatan Peninsula and Belize. This front crossed and became stationary near northern Honduras on the 26th and then the tail end began dissipating on the 28th. A few showers or light rain with isolated thunderstorms developed between 24th and 25th due to the front mainly over the south and north. When the tail end of the front began to dissipate on March 28 with a shear line extending over the northwest Caribbean, showery activity increased across the country, especially over norther, central and coastal locations and very moist conditions prevailed in the low levels in a north to north-easterly flow. The activity shifted mostly north and south on the 29 and began to decrease ending the month with little to no rainfall activity as a strong south-easterly flow developed over the area.

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, most of the country experienced above normal rainfall. In terms of temperatures, most of the stations sampled show near normal maximum/daytime and slight above normal minimum/night-time temperatures except for Punta Gorda where slightly cooler than normal minimum temperatures were recorded.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: March 2022 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: March 2022 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, April 2022

National Meteorological Service of Belize

April is normally the driest month where frontal activity ends in Belize and temperatures start to warm up as we approach the end of the dry season and the hottest part of the year. It is also the month where we see the second highest occurrence of upper-level troughs over the country. On average, a total of two cold fronts, eight upper-level troughs, two surface troughs and one mid to upper-level low would influence weather conditions and rainfall. In April, a late season cold front crossed the country while several surface troughs near to our area produced troughing over the country and supported several days of rain, especially in the latter parts of the month. This resulted in rainfall activity being above normal over northern, coastal, and southern locations. It the extreme northwest and western portions of the country, below normal rainfall was observed.

During the first week of April, predominantly dry conditions prevailed across the country as very little moisture was available in the low and upper levels. Ridging was the overall pattern with slight troughing in the area, but Belize was under the convergent side. The dry air was further enhanced by a light to moderate east to south-easterly surface wind flow throughout the week. As a result, both surface observations and radar images showed little to no rainfall affecting the country, with only isolated showers being observed over some portions of northern Belize and over the Maya Mountains due to daytime heating. At the upper levels, a neutral pattern prevailed providing little to no support for showery development and a broad ridge extending over the Northwest Caribbean produced a near zonal flow at the beginning of the week that later became west to south-westerly to end the week.

The second week started off with a late season and weak cold approaching and crossing the country on the 8th. Moisture levels over the area increased as a result in both the low and upper levels between the 8th to 10th of the month. An anticyclone at the upper levels supported a south-westerly wind component with neutral to weakly divergent conditions. With the front, shower activity was concentrated mostly over northern and extreme southern Belize, however, a significant amount of rainfall did not occur during its passage. Surface winds became north-easterly during this period. The front later stalled near Honduras before it dissipated. Moisture lingered over the area for a few days, mostly in the low levels through to April 13 before drying began. Winds near the surface veered to an east to south-easterly flow as a ridge pattern prevailed and at the upper levels, a neutral pattern with a near zonal flow was observed. Only isolated showers were observed during this period with activity occurring overnight in the south.

Ridging was the dominant factor in week three and an east to south-easterly surface flow prevailed. At the upper levels, dry conditions persisted with a north-westerly flow due a broad ridge supporting a neutral to convergent pattern through much of the week. Moisture continued low over the area, despite having the winds back to the North-east as a cold front passed well north of the area. Fair and warm conditions prevailed with little to no rainfall during this period. On April 21, an upper level TUTT extending from the western north Atlantic to the western Caribbean produced a surface trough over the western Caribbean and the surface winds over Belize became east to north-easterly resulting in a slight increase in low level moisture. This led to the development of a few light showers over the mainland and moderate showers occurred over offshore areas.

Most of the rainfall activity for this month occurred during the last week of the month as troughing persisted and was the dominant feature during the period. This supported a moist east to north-easterly surface flow resulting in high low-level moisture. Conditions were relatively dry at the upper levels through most of the week except for April 22, 23, 26 and 27 as an upper-level trough supported a west to south-westerly component and neutral to divergent conditions on the moist days. The other days a more subsident and convergent flow prevailed. Showers and thunderstorms were scattered around the country, especially over southern and coastal areas on April 22, 23, 26 and 27 with the highest amount of rainfall being observed between April 26 and 27. The Melinda Station received the highest one-day total rainfall of 85.1mm on April 26 and the Airport Station received the highest one-day total of 78.7mm on April 27, while the highest monthly total rainfall was recorded at the Melinda Station in the Stann Creek District with 221.1mm of rainfall which marks the highest monthly total ever recorded at this station. Only isolated showers occurred over the other days in the last week with drier conditions setting in to end off the month.

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, most of the country experienced above normal rainfall, especially along coastal areas while below normal conditions were observed over the west of the country. In terms of temperatures, most of the stations sampled show near normal maximum/daytime and minimum/night-time temperatures except for Punta Gorda where slightly cooler than normal minimum temperatures were recorded.



Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: April 2022 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: April 2022 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, May 2022

National Meteorological Service of Belize

May marks the end of the 2022 dry season and early May is typically the onset of the rainy season for the Toledo district, which then moves progressively northward with the season starting over most areas by late May and over the entire country by early June. The 2022 rainy season officially started around May 20th in the Corozal and Stann Creek district and in the third dekad of month (21st -30th) over the remainder of the country. Typically, the rainfall during this month is associated with the passage of tropical waves where fifteen waves would cross the country and two upper-level troughs and 4 surface troughs. In May, three tropical waves crossed the country while several surface troughs near to our area produced troughing over the country for most of the month and supported several days of rain in the latter parts of the month. This resulted in rainfall activity being above normal over northern, coastal, and southern locations. It the extreme northwest and western portions of the country, below normal rainfall continues.

During the first week of May, predominantly dry conditions prevailed across the country with moisture capped below 800 hPa and a very dry upper level. Ridging was the overall pattern with slight troughing in the area leading to an east to south-easterly surface flow. As a result, both surface observations and radar images showed isolated showers and thunderstorms for most of the week, with a few showers being observed over some portions of central and southern Belize and over the Maya Mountains due to daytime heating. At the upper levels, a neutral to weakly convergent pattern prevailed for the first half of the week then conditions became weakly divergent in the latter half of the week. An upper-level trough over the western and central Caribbean supported a west to north-westerly upper-level flow which for the most part, hindered the development of significant convection.

Week two marked the beginning of a significant dry spells across most areas of the country due to a strong ridge pattern over the area and limited lower and upper-level moisture. Conditions for most of the week was hot and dry with only isolated showers prevailing. A few areas south and along the coast one day with a few showers or isolated thunderstorms. Thunderstorm activity was concentrated mostly near the western boarder towards the end of the week. The hot and dry conditions were additionally supported by an east to south-easterly airflow over the area from May 8 to 10. The flow shifted to a more east to north-easterly flow from May 11 to 14. The convergent upper-level pattern resulting from a strong west to north-westerly flow due to a trough over the western and southwestern Caribbean provided strong subsidence over our area.

The dry and warm conditions continued into week three with a slack pressure gradient due to weak ridging over the area supporting a light easterly flow through to May 18. Both lower and upper-level moisture remained low during this time and a convergent upper-level pattern persisted. A broad ridge at the upper levels supported a wind shift to a more west to south-westerly flow and towards the end of the week, the upper-level pattern became neutral to weakly divergent as a tropical wave approached the area. The approach of this wave supported an increase in low and upper-level moisture and conditions began to become more unstable over the area. This wave supported a moderate easterly surface flow on May 19 ahead of the wave, and the first tropical wave crossed the country of May 20. The passage of this wave would also mark the beginning of the 2022 rainy season in the north and some areas in southern Stann Creek. For the most part, most of the showery activity was behind the wave and showers or thunderstorms continued isolated over most areas, with a few thunderstorms near the western border.

The moisture from the first tropical wave persisted into week four and continue to the end of the month. Conditions became very moist in both the low and upper levels. For the remainder of the month, the convective potential remained high as a divergent upper-level pattern prevailed with a west to south-westerly wind component due to an upper-level ridge over the area. Near the surface, a light to moderate east to south-easterly flow prevailed. Some showers, a few thunderstorms and periods of rain occurred over most areas of the country during this week, especially along southern, northern, and coastal areas due to the passage of a tropical wave on May 24 and another on May 28 with lingering moisture behind both waves. The most significant rainfall occurred on May 22 near Melinda with 200.1mm of rainfall. The Corozal District had the most rain days with 12, above the normal monthly average of 7 and the overall monthly total was 109% above normal. Stann Creek district received the highest monthly rainfall amount of 386mm in 7 rain days.

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, most of the country experienced above normal rainfall, especially along coastal areas while below normal conditions continue to be observed over the western portions of the country. In terms of temperatures, most of the stations sampled show near normal maximum/daytime and minimum/night-time temperatures except for Punta Gorda where slightly cooler than normal minimum temperatures were recorded.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: May 2022 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: May 2022 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, June 2022

National Meteorological Service of Belize

The start of the 2022 rainy season continued in the month of June while normally signals the start of rains for most other regions of the country apart from the Toledo District. The first rainfall maxima normally occur in the month of June for central locations due to the passage of tropical waves as June is one of the peak months for these systems. Normally, a total of 15 tropical waves, both active and inactive would cross Belize. Rainfall is also supported during this month by upper level and surface troughs. During the month, troughing due to surface troughs north of the area was the main feature coupled with two low pressure systems and five tropical waves that cross the country. This supported several days of rain throughout the month and resulted in rainfall activity being above normal over the Corozal and northern orange walk district and below normal over the remainder of the country except for near normal conditions over the south. The highest amount of rain days occurred over south-eastern Belize near the Savannah Station with 24 rain days and the highest one-day rainfall total occurring over the Corozal district with 197.2 mm on June 18 near Libertad. June had above the normal amount of rain days indicating that rainfall accumulation was distributed over most of the month except for the extreme north and south of the country, however, rainfall activity in most areas was normal to below as was forecasted.

Moist and unstable conditions prevailed to start off the month due to the presence of the monsoon trough near southern Belize and a low-pressure system over Belize that was deemed potential tropical cyclone one by the National Hurricane Centre. This lasted throughout the first week of the month with high available moisture in both the lower and upper levels with a divergent pattern aloft supporting the development of showery activity over Belize. This was supported by a broad upper-level anti-cyclone producing a west to south-easterly upper-level wind component through the period. The presence of the low-pressure system produced a light west to south-westerly flow from June 1st to 4th then a weak ridge north of the area shifted the winds to a more east and south-easterly flow from June 5th to 7th. Several outbreaks of showers, intense thunderstorms and periods of rain occurred over most areas on June 1st and 2nd then only concentrated over inland areas on June 3rd. Rainfall activity began to decrease over the area on June 4th through to the end of the week and generally isolated showers and thunderstorms prevailed, primarily over inland and central locations.

In week two, ridging was the dominant feature for most of the week that supported a light to moderate east to south-easterly surface flow. Most of the moisture over the area was capped in the low levels, except for the end of the week where two tropical waves approached and crossed the country back-to-back on June 13th and 14th resulting in an increase in moisture through to the upper levels. An upper-level ridge to the east of Belize over the western and central Caribbean Sea supported a north-westerly upper-level flow and neutral to weakly convergent conditions for most of the week. A shift to the west and southwest was observed on June 11th and 12th due to an upper level low to the west of Cuba. A few showers and isolated thunderstorms occurred mostly over the Maya Mountains during the afternoons with most of the rainfall over some northern and southern locations. During this week, significant rainfall activity occurred over central and southern locations around June 8th and 9th. The passage of the tropical waves supported some showers and a few thunderstorms across the country starting on June 12th and continuing into June 13th. A few showers continued to affect the south on June 14th.

Moisture persisted into week three which was supported by the presence of a trough of low pressure over the area and the passage of a tropical wave towards the end of the week. The trough of low pressure moved over Belize on Saturday, June 18 producing intense rainfall mainly over the Central and Northern Districts. Very moist and unstable conditions persisted June 19 even though the area of low pressure had already moved west of Belize as activity ahead of an approaching tropical wave and helped to maintain the wet conditions. Extreme rainfall was reported in the north, especially near San Estevan and Towerhill during June 18 to 21 that resulted in significant flooding and a flood warning was issued prior to the event on June 16 for those areas, and other low lying and flood prone areas of the country. These showers and intense thunderstorms were supported by strong outflow at the upper levels with a divergent pattern observed over our area throughout the week from an upper-level ridge accompanied by a North-westerly upper-level flow. The surface winds were east to north-easterly June 15 to 17 then became east to southeast from June 17-20. A north eastly flow prevailed on June 21 due to the passage of a tropical wave.

Relatively moist conditions started off the last week of the month with a gradual decrease in moisture as the week progressed. A light east and north-easterly flow prevailed with a ridge pattern as the dominant feature over the week. Two tropical waves crossed the country during the week, the first on June 25 and the second on June 30. These supported a few showers and isolated thunderstorms mostly over southern and inland locations. Rainfall activity over most other areas was isolated.

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, most of the country experienced below normal rainfall, especially along western areas while near normal conditions was observed over the Toledo district and above normal rainfall over the northern portions of the country due to an extreme rainfall event from a low-pressure system during the month. In terms of temperatures, most of the stations sampled show near normal maximum/daytime and minimum/night-time temperatures where slightly cooler than normal minimum temperatures were recorded over central coastal areas and the southern districts.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: June 2022 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: June 2022 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, September 2022

National Meteorological Service of Belize

September is normally the peak of the hurricane season which for the most part was off to a slow start. Most of the tropical storms and hurricanes frequent the area during the month of September. The secondary rainfall starts around this time peaking in most southern locations and are attributable to tropical waves, upper-level troughs, surface troughs, cold core lows, and mid-upper level low. Normally, a total of 7 tropical waves, both active and inactive would cross Belize. During the month, a slack pressure gradient with ridging prevailed through the first two dekad and supported a light east to south-easterly flow. This supported several days of rain throughout the month over most areas while rainfall was concentrated mostly the earlier parts of the month in the north. The highest amount of rain days occurred over south-eastern Belize near the Savannah Station with 21 rain days and the highest one-day rainfall total occurring over the Toledo district with 132.0 mm on September 17 near Punta Gorda. September had above the normal amount of rain days indicating that rainfall accumulation was distributed over most of the month except for the extreme north and south of the country. Rainfall was normal to above normal over more areas.

Moist and unstable conditions prevailed to start off the month due to the presence of a tropical wave and a surface trough near the area. This resulted in high low and upper-level moisture over Belize from September 1-3 with a decrease in upper-level moisture from the 4th to the 7th of September. The overall pattern for this week was ridging due to a slight pressure gradient over the NW Caribbean supporting light east to south-easterly winds while Tropical Storm Earl was north of the area over the northern Caribbean. The approach and passage of the tropical wave on September 2 resulted in showers and thunderstorms affecting the country overnight into the daytime further enhanced by a divergent upper-level pattern. Showers and thunderstorms continued over the area through September 4 especially over southern and inland locations. Fairer conditions prevailed from September 5-7 as upper-level moisture decreased and the ridge pattern became dominate with neutral to weakly convergent upper levels supporting mainly isolated showers, except for a few more over the south.

In week two, leading up to the peak of the hurricane season, not much activity was occurring in the tropics except for what was now Hurricane Earl south of Bermuda. Thick Cirrus clouds prevailed over the area during this week with high upper-level moisture and a divergent upper-level pattern over Belize. Isolated showers affected the Toledo district on September 8, however, by September 9, showery activity increased across the country producing moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms. A ridge pattern supported a light to moderate east to south-easterly surface flow. Showers and rain were widespread over most areas of the country on September 11 except for northern and central locations. Isolated showers prevailed to end off the week except for over the south where some showers and thunderstorms continued. The showers over the south were enhanced by a south-westerly upper-level flow from an anticyclone over the northwest Caribbean. This flow veered and became more north-easterly.

Activity in the tropics began to pick up with Hurricane Fiona developing and churning near Puerto Rico. Upper-level moisture remained high and a south-westerly flow due to an anticyclone to the east of the country prevailed. Low level moisture was relatively moist for most of the week and showers were isolated during the week which some showers and thunderstorms affecting the southern portions of the country overnight into early morning with significant rainfall activity over the south on September 17. Troughing over the area supported a light north-easterly flow and an upper level TUTT over the western Atlantic extending into the Yucatan supported a west-south-westerly upper-level flow.

Most to very moist conditions prevailed in the last week except for September 30. Tropical Depression #9 formed east-southeast of Jamaica that would later become Tropical Storm then Hurricane Ian between September 25-28. The presence of Hurricane Ian over the NW Caribbean supported a north-easterly surface flow from September 22-25 then a shift to the north and northwest prevail to the end of the month as Ian approached the Yucatan Peninsula. A TUTT low was also present over the Yucatan from September 22-25 along with an inverted trough and the upper-level flow was south-westerly supporting a neutral to weakly divergent pattern. A few showers and thunderstorms affected mostly central and southern locations. This activity increased to some as Hurricane Ian passed near the country on September 28 and continued into the 29th become beginning to decrease.

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, most of the country experienced above normal rainfall, especially along southern coastal areas while near normal conditions was observed over the Toledo district during the month. In terms of temperatures, most of the stations sampled show near normal maximum/daytime and minimum/night-time temperatures while slightly cooler than normal minimum temperatures were recorded over Toledo district.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures

Monthly Weather Summary, December 2022

National Meteorological Service of Belize

December is one of the cooler month where fronts peaks. This month we experienced several fronts, and even the fronts that did not cross directly over the country had some influence leading to cooler temperatures.Throughout the first week, prevailing conditions at the low level were moist supporting showers and thunderstorms across the country mostly during the night. The wind flow was generally northerly varying from northeasterly to northwesterly at the lower level, this was supported by a ridge and a cold front over the Northwestern Atlantic with its stationery end over the Central Gulf of Mexico in the earlier parts of the week. In the latter part of the week a ridge supported a northeasterly airflow. In the upper levels, conditions were generally dry. The dominant feature in the upper level was a ridge which supported easterly and southwesterly winds in the earlier parts of the week. The winds varied from northeasterly to east and northeasterly throughout the latter part of the week.

The second week started off moist with a ridge supporting a northeasterly flow which resulted in showers and isolated thunderstorms across the country for the first 2 days. In the middle of the week a high centered in the extreme Northern Central Gulf of Mexico extended across the Caribbean Basin, supporting very dry conditions in the low-level while the prevailing northeasterly wind flow continued. At the upper levels, ridging supported mostly dry conditions, except for the 10th, where it was relatively moist and a return of the dryness after. The relatively moist conditions supported a few showers and isolated thunderstorms on this day with only isolated showers affected the country in the latter part of the week.

The third week started off generally dry resulting in fair conditions with the dominant feature at the low levels being ridging, then transitions to relatively moist conditions which supported showers across the country. The dry conditions were further supported as the ridge build associated with a cold front over the Bay of Campeche and another cold front South of Florida on the 15th and 16th of the month respectively that became stationary. The ridge associated with these fronts continued to support a light east-southeasterly flow suppressing any significant showery activity. In the latter part of the week, an increase in moisture was observed due to a trough at the Florida Keys to the Eastern Yucatan. This supported a somewhat moist easterly airflow over the area and let to some showers and isolated thunderstorms mostly over the northern, coastal, and southern parts of the country. In the upper levels, ridging also supported dry conditions except on the 18th where the conditions were relatively moist. The upper-level winds ranged from westerly to southwesterly during this week.

During the last week, conditions at the low levels were generally moist, except for the 23rd where it was dry due to a cold front near the Bay of Campeche supporting a northwesterly flow. Most of the week saw moist conditions because of several stationary fronts which resulted in rain across the country especially over the southern parts of the country as the dissipated. In the latter part of the week, ridging was the dominant feature and moist conditions prevailed supporting a northerly flow. In the upper levels conditions were dry, except for the except for the 25th where it was moist because of a polar trough over the northern and western domain and the passage of a cold front resulting in cool temperatures on Christmas and Boxing Day, however, the cooler temperatures were not without rain as light rain persisted over the area on these two days. The winds here continued to range from the westerly to southwesterly to close off the month.

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, most of the country experienced above normal rainfall, especially over northern, northwestern and along southern coastal areas while near normal conditions was observed over the Belize district during the month.In terms of temperatures, most of the stations sampled show slightly above normal maximum/daytime and minimum/night-time temperatures.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: December 2022 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: December 2022 (% Above/Below Average)