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Monthly Weather Summary, June 2019

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 2019 started off relatively moist and unstable. The main feature was a surface low pressure system that had moved across Central America and entered the bay of Campeche. Meanwhile the upper levels were moist and divergent. This supported cloudy skies on the 1st. A few showers and thunderstorms affected mainly coastal areas before daybreak with slightly more in the south. Shower activity moved north of the country during the day with only isolated showers developing in the interior. A few showers and isolated thunderstorms persisted mainly in the north during the night of the 1st through early morning on the 2nd and then affected mainly central areas later in the day. Rainfall records from 9am on the 1st through 9am on the 2nd show that Hershey on the Hummingbird Highway recorded the most rainfall with a total of 67.6 mm (2.66 inches). Moisture decreased over the area on the 3rd with only isolated showers developing as the low pressure system moved further west away from the country.

Mainly fair, warm and mostly dry conditions prevailed over the country for the following few days from the 4th through to the 9th. The only exception to the overall dry pattern was the development of an occasional isolated afternoon thunderstorm over the Maya Mountains. A weak and very inactive tropical wave crossed on the 7th but did not produce any significant rainfall.

This dry spell ended on the 10th when a slight increase in moisture was noted over the area. This supported a few showers and isolated thunderstorms on the 10th and 11th. These occurred mainly over the Toledo District at nighttime and over the Maya Mountains during the afternoon hours. Punta Gorda recorded a total of 26.0 mm (1.02 inches) and 24.0 mm (0.94 inches) of rainfall on the 10th and 11th respectively. Moisture increased further on the 12th supported mostly by an increase in divergence at the upper levels. This favored the development of a few showers and isolated thunderstorms mainly over inland and southern areas early in the day, decreasing later in the afternoon. Relatively moist conditions continued over the area on the 13th and 14th and then started to decrease on the 15th. As a result the 13th saw a few light showers mainly over the northern half of the country. A tropical wave crossed south of the country that day. During the night through early morning on the 14th isolated thunderstorms, a few showers and light rain affected mainly the south at first and then gradually moved toward western parts of the country. Similar weather conditions were noted on the night of the 14th. Later on during the afternoon of the 15th, a few showers were noted over inland areas.

Another, albeit less intense, dry spell affected the country from the 16th through to the 20th of June 2019. During this period a weak tropical waves crossed mostly south of the country on the night of the 17th producing a few showers in the extreme south. The dominant weather pattern was tight pressure gradients over the area which supported a moderate to gusty easterly to east-southeasterly airflow. An intrusion of the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) was also noted producing hazy conditions over the area. A slight surge in moisture on the 21st briefly interrupted this dry spell. This supported the development of a few showers and isolated thunderstorms mainly over central and southern areas of the country. Similar conditions persisted overnight on the 21st through early morning on the 22nd producing a total of 38.0 mm (1.5 inches) of rainfall in Punta Gorda. As a result, flooding was reported in several villages in southern Toledo. Shower activity decreased during the day on the 22nd. Hazy, dry and warm conditions returned over the area again on the 23rd and this lasted until the 25th. Surface analysis showed that another weak and inactive tropical wave crossed mostly south of the country on the night of the 23rd but this system did not produce any significant rainfall over the area.

A gradual increase in moisture was noted over the area during the last five days of June 2019. The strong trade winds decreased a bit favoring the gradual build-up of moisture. On the larger scale, a gradual relaxation of an earlier strong subsident/convergent phase of the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) was occurring. As a result a few showers developed over central areas on the 26th and a few thunderstorms in the south with the approach and passage of a tropical wave. A few more showers and isolated thunderstorms affected southern areas on the night of the 26th into the early morning of the 27th and then affected mainly central areas later on the 27th. Another tropical wave crossed on the night of the 27th into the early morning hours of the 28th. This supported more showers and isolated thunderstorms over the south that lasted into the morning of the 28th. Later in the afternoon this activity affected mostly northern and inland areas before becoming isolated late in the evening. Finally the weekend of 29th and 30th, saw a further increase in moisture over the area. A relatively strong tropical wave was approaching on the 29th which crossed later in the night. Conditions were moist that day with some showers, periods of rain and a few thunderstorms moving from southeast to northwest across the country. Moist and unstable conditions persisted over the area on the last day of June 2019. This supported some early morning showers, thunderstorms and periods of rain mainly over the south and coast at first spreading to most areas by midday into early afternoon with some breaks later in the afternoon into the evening. Of all the stations sampled for this report, Punta Gorda recorded the highest one day total for the month. This occurred between 9am on the 29th and 9am on the 30th with a total of 87.0 mm (3.43 inches).

In summary, although June 2019 saw its fair share of tropical waves passing the country, most of these were weak and inactive. Three marked dry spells affected the country during the month. The first and most intense of these lasted about six days (4th to 9th) while the second one which was weaker lasted about five days from the 16th to the 20th. A third intense, but shorter, dry spell occurred from the 22nd to the 25th of June 2019. These dry spells (particularly the third one) were not as severe in the extreme south where rainfall was a bit more regular. The graphs and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of June 2019. 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 over the southern Toledo district where rainfall was near normal for the month. Both daytime (maximum) and nighttime (minimum) temperatures were above normal for most of the stations sampled with only a few exceptions. In conclusion, June 2019 was drier and warmer than usual.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: January 2019 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: January 2019 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, July 2019

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. However, July 2019 was significantly drier than normal.

Generally fair, warm and dry conditions dominated the country from the 1st through to the 5th of July 2019. The dominant surface feature during this period was the Atlantic High Pressure Ridge north and northeast of the area which supported a moderate easterly surface flow. Based on the National Hurricane Center (NHC) analysis, tropical waves that crossed during this period were mostly south of Belize. Upper level conditions were mostly convergent and dry which inhibited the formation of deep convection over the area. As a result, only light isolated showers were noted. Most stations recorded little to no rainfall during this period, except for Melinda which recorded 22.9 mm of rainfall on the 5th.

Changes in the upper levels supported an increase in upper level divergence and atmospheric moisture over the area on the 6th. This supported an increase in showers and thunderstorms mainly over central areas of the country that afternoon. Moisture increased further on the 7th supporting showers, thunderstorms and periods of rain mainly over central and northern areas. This activity continued throughout the night of the 7th through early morning on the 8th, while spreading to most areas of the country. A total of 106 mm of rainfall was recorded at Punta Gorda on the morning of the 8th of July. NHC analysis showed a tropical wave passing over the country around midday on the 8th.

Another dry spell affected most of the country from the 9th through to the 14th of July 2019. Showers were isolated across the country except for slightly more in the south during the nighttime hours. One tropical wave crossed with axis mostly south of the country on the 13th. This system produced rainfall mostly over southern Belize. As a result Punta Gorda recorded 24 mm and 26 mm of rainfall on the 13th and 14th, respectively.

A tropical wave crossed the country late on the 15th supporting a modest increase in moisture and resulting in a few showers and isolated thunderstorms over central and southern areas of the country. Slightly moist conditions lingered over the area on the following day, resulting in similar weather. Another tropical wave then crossed the country late on the 17th supporting a few showers and isolated thunderstorms mostly over inland areas during the evening then spreading to southern areas overnight. Belmopan recorded 26.6 mm of rainfall on the 17th.

Relatively dry conditions returned over the country later on the 18th through to the 19th. This was followed by an increase in moisture once more on the 20th due to passage of a tropical wave coupled with favorable conditions at the upper levels. This aided in the development of some showers and a few thunderstorms over southern Belize before dawn on the 20th. A few showers, thunderstorms and periods of rain then spread to most areas of the country later in the day. This activity continued throughout the night of the 20th through early morning on the 21st, decreasing later in the day. The highest reported daily rainfall was at Hershey where a total of 129.2 mm was recorded on the morning of the 20th.

A third dry spell for the month was noted from the 22nd to the 27th of July 2019. The dry was particularly intense during the first two days of this dry spell with little to no rainfall observed across the country. Based on NHC analysis a weak tropical wave crossed mostly south of the country late on the 22nd but this did not produce any significant rainfall over Belize. The remainder of the period continued mostly dry but isolated showers were noted. Tropical waves crossed on the early morning of the 25th and around midnight on the 26th. These supported generally isolated showers across the country.

Another and slightly stronger tropical wave crossed on the night of the 27th. This system produced a few showers and thunderstorms mostly over southern and central areas on the night of the 27th through early morning of the 28th. This activity decreased later in the day of the 28th. 64 mm of rainfall was recorded in Punta Gorda.

The last few days of July 2019 saw variations in moisture levels. Showers were generally isolated on the 29th with more activity over the south during the night. The 30th saw a few showers and isolated thunderstorms in the south during the morning and inland later in the afternoon. Finally, on the last day of July 2019 a few showers and isolated thunderstorms affected mostly central and northern parts of the country.

Although several tropical waves crossed the area in July 2019, these were mostly weak and crossed mostly south of the country. As a result rainfall was well below normal for most of the country during the month. The graph and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of July 2019. 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. Values ranged from around 20% below normal in the south to over 50% below normal over central and northern areas. In terms of maximum/daytime temperatures, all of the stations sampled here show that daytime temperatures were warmer than normal during July 2019. A similar conclusion can be made about the nighttime/minimum temperatures across the country, except for Central Farm where nighttimes were slightly cooler than average for the month.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: January 2019 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: January 2019 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, August 2019

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).

Abnormally dry conditions continued in August 2019 with rainfall being below normal across most of the country. The first day of the month started off relatively dry with showers and thunderstorms being generally isolated. A tropical wave was approaching the area. By the 2nd of the month the wave was located over the Gulf of Honduras and it crossed late in the evening. This supported an increase in moisture which peaked on the 3rd. As a result a few showers affected mainly inland areas that day.

Conditions became mostly dry on the 4th with little to no rainfall across the country. Generally fair weather persisted through to the 7th of the month. The only exception was over the Toledo district at nighttime where a few showers and thunderstorms developed. Otherwise the rest of the country saw only isolated showers or thunderstorms. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) analysis suggests that the second and third tropical waves for the month crossed the country late on the 5th and 7th respectively but most of the activity with these systems was confined to southern Belize.

The fourth tropical wave for August 2019 crossed on the 9th. The approach of this wave supported an increase in moisture on the previous day with a few showers and possible thunderstorms affecting central and northern districts. Moisture increased further on the night of the 8th through early morning of the 9th resulting in some showers, thunderstorms and periods of rain mainly over southern and coastal areas. Although conditions continued cloudy for the rest of the day, showers and thunderstorms decreased.

Showers returned to the Toledo district late night on the 9th into early morning of the 10th but again this activity decreased throughout the day with weather conditions becoming generally fair over most areas. Fair and warm weather then prevailed over the area from the 11th through to the 13th. A weak tropical wave (the fifth for the month) that crossed early on the 13th only helped to support early morning isolated showers over the Toledo district. Relatively dry conditions continued the following two days (14th and 15th) with slightly more activity over southern areas in the nighttime and over inland areas in the afternoon hours. Another weak tropical wave crossed early on the 15th.

Moisture increased slightly on the 16th but showers remained isolated. A further increase in moisture the following day supported the development of a few showers and isolated thunderstorms across the country. This was associated with the 7th tropical wave for the month that crossed around midnight. As a result a few showers continued over the south overnight on the 17th then showers shifted to northern areas in the early morning hours of the 18th. The remainder of the 18th saw a return to generally fair conditions. Mainly fair weather continued on the 19th except for the development of a few early morning showers over the Maya Mountains.

The 8th tropical wave for August 2019 crossed on the 20th. This wave was a bit more active as it was being enhanced by favorable upper level conditions due to a TUTT/low with axis west of the country. This resulted in a few showers and periods of rain affecting the country. Moisture decreased as the system moved away the following day. Showers occurred in the morning with conditions becoming generally fair by afternoon.

A significant dry spell was then noted from the 22nd to the 29th of August 2019. This period saw mainly fair and warm weather across the country. The 9th tropical wave for the month crossed on the night of the 26th but this system was weak and did not produce any significant rainfall except for a few showers and thunderstorms over the Toledo district. The next tropical wave which crossed early morning of the 28th was also rather weak and inactive with isolated showers and thunderstorm activity confined to the extreme southwestern portions of the country.

The last two days of August 2019 saw a very slack pressure pattern develop over the area. This resulted in very light and variable winds across the country. Subsequently, daytime maximum temperatures soared especially over the mainland. This lead to the development of afternoon showers and thunderstorms over inland and northern areas. Tower Hill in the Orange Walk district recorded 73.6 mm and 65.3 mm of rainfall on the 30th and 31st respectively. This made of for the deficit in rainfall experienced earlier in the month over that station helping it to almost achieve its normal for the month.

Although a total of ten tropical waves crossed the area in August 2019, these were mostly weak and most of the activity associated with them was confined to southern areas of the country. As a result rainfall was well below normal for most of the country during the month. The graph and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of August 2019. 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 during the month. Tower Hill in the Orange Walk district saw near normal rainfall due to just two days of intense afternoon thunderstorm activity during the final days of the month. Otherwise most of the country saw record low rainfall. It is worth noting the the Airport station recorded its lowest total rainfall for August since record keeping began at this station in 1952. In terms of maximum/daytime temperatures, all of the stations sampled here show that daytime temperatures were warmer than normal during August 2019. A similar conclusion can be made about the nighttime/minimum temperatures across the country, except for Central Farm where nighttimes were slightly cooler than average for the month.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: January 2019 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: January 2019 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, January 2019

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.

September 2019 was drier than normal for most of the country. Driest conditions were experienced over central and southern coastal areas. The north was just a bit drier than normal. The month started off slightly moist with a few showers and isolated thunderstorms affecting mostly inland areas on the first two days. The main synoptic feature at the surface was powerful Hurricane Dorian northeast of the area near the Bahamas. This created a very slack pressure pattern over our area with light and variable winds. A weak tropical wave crossed late during the night of the 1st through early morning of the 2nd.

Conditions became drier from the 3rd and 4th. Showers and thunderstorms were generally isolated during this period with slightly more affecting the southern districts during the nighttime. Another increase in moisture followed the passage of a tropical wave on the 5th. However, showers and thunderstorms were confined mostly to the south that day. Showers and thunderstorms increased later on the night of the 5th through to the 6th with activity spreading to other areas of the country.

The 7th and 8th saw a diurnal pattern of overnight showers and thunderstorms in the south, spreading to other areas in the early morning and becoming isolated by afternoon. Moisture increased over the area on the 9th with the approach of the third tropical wave for the month. The tropical wave crossed late in the evening supporting a few showers mostly over central, southern and inland areas of the country. Conditions continued relatively moist during the following two days (10th and 11th). This moisture along with relatively divergent conditions at the upper levels continued to support the development of a few showers and thunderstorms across the country. Punta Gorda recorded a total of 116 mm of rainfall on the 10th.

The fourth tropical wave to cross the country in September 2019 did so around midday on the 12th. This wave arrived under favorable upper level dynamics and aided the development of a few showers and thunderstorms mostly over northern areas of the country. Libertad recorded 27.8 mm of rainfall that day. The 13th continued relatively moist with some showers and thunderstorms affecting most areas of the country. Although, the 5th tropical wave for the month crossed on the 14th showers and thunderstorms that day were not as widespread as on the previous day.

Moisture decreased further over the area on the 15th. A few showers and thunderstorms over southern and central portions of the mainland in the morning became generally isolated after mid-afternoon. Generally fair condition continued across the country from the 16th through to the 19th. Showers were generally isolated with a few more along with isolated thunderstorms at times over the Toledo district.

The passage of the 6th tropical wave for the month on the 20th saw an increase in moisture across the country. This supported the development of a few showers and isolated thunderstorms during the morning hours that decreased after mid-afternoon. The National Hurricane Center's analysis suggests that a 7th wave crossed on the 21st. However, this system was weak and only supported a few showers and isolated thunderstorms over the Maya Mountains and only isolated showers elsewhere.

A very slack pressure pattern dominated across the area from the 22nd through to the 26th. Additionally, conditions were relatively moist during the period. Rainfall records suggests that most rainfall activity occurred over northern and inland areas during this period. Libertad in the Corozal district recorded 68.8 mm of rainfall on the 25th while Belmopan recorded 30.1 mm that same day.

The last few days of the month continued slightly moist with weakly divergent conditions at the upper levels. This supported some instability over the area. Showers and thunderstorms occurred mostly during the late evening to nighttime hours during this period.

In summary, although the month of September 2019 saw relatively moist atmospheric conditions for quite a few days, this did not translate to substantial amounts of rainfall. On the contrary, most areas of the country experienced below normal rainfall. The graph and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of September 2019. 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. However, the extreme north (Libertad) was only slightly below normal compared to other areas. In terms of maximum temperatures most of the stations sampled here reported higher than average maximum / daytime temperatures except for the Belize Zoo. A similar situation can be said for minimum/nighttime temperatures where all the stations except for Central Farm reported temperatures warmer than usual during the nighttime.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: January 2019 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: January 2019 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, October 2019

National Meteorological Service of Belize

October is typically one of the wettest month for the country of Belize. Systems that usually affect the country during this month include tropical waves and Tropical Upper Tropospheric Troughs (TUTTs). On occasions a tropical cyclone may affect the country during October. Cold fronts often affect the country during this month as well.

The month of October 2019 started off relatively moist and unstable. A tropical wave with an embedded area of low pressure was slowly approaching the country. The 1st saw the development of a few showers and thunderstorms mainly over inland and southern areas. Moisture increased further on the 2nd supporting an increase in coverage of showers and thunderstorms. The low pressure system and tropical wave was now over the Gulf of Honduras. The system passed over Belize and Yucatan late on the 2nd through early morning of the 3rd supporting the development of some showers and thunderstorms over most areas of the country. Central Farm in Cayo recorded a total of 53.3 mm of rainfall between 9 am on the 2nd and 9 am on the 3rd.

Moisture decreased slightly on the 4th as the system moved further inland over Yucatan. However, a few showers and isolated thunderstorms persisted over northern and northwestern portions of the country that day. Similar weather conditions persisted on the following two days (5th and 6th) with shower and thunderstorm activity occurring mostly over inland and northern areas.

A trough of low pressure developed over the country extending from Belize north-northeastward to the northern Bahamas late on the 6th through to the 7th. This supported very moist conditions with overnight showers and thunderstorms mainly over northern and central areas, becoming isolated later on the 7th. Tower Hill in Orange Walk recorded 34.1 mm of rainfall. Showers and thunderstorms developed mostly over the south on the night of the 7th through early morning of the 8th with Punta Gorda recording 112.0 mm of rainfall. A few showers and periods of rain lingered over northern and inland areas throughout the remainder of the 8th. Relatively moist conditions persisted on the 9th with a few showers and thunderstorms mainly along the coast.

The 2nd tropical wave for October 2019 crossed the country during the early morning hours of the 10th. This supported the development of a few showers and isolated thunderstorms mainly over central and southern areas. The 3rd tropical wave for the month followed closely behind the 2nd and crossed the country on the evening of the 11th. This system aided in the development of a few showers across the country.

After a slight decrease in moisture on the 12th, moisture increased once more on the 13th with the approach of a low pressure system that developed along the east coast of Nicaragua. The National Hurricane Center was monitoring this system but gave it a very low chance of development in 48 hours. NEMO and the NMS was also closely monitoring it for any development. A few showers and isolated thunderstorms affecting mainly southern and coastal areas on the night of the 12th through early morning on the 13th and then showers and thunderstorms developed mainly over northern and central areas later on the 13th. The area of low pressure crossed the country on the 14th. Its approach supported the development of some showers, thunderstorms and rain from overnight on the 13th continuing for most of the day of the 14th. Heavy rains caused flooding in San Ignacio as well as down south in Punta Gorda where a total of 236 mm of rainfall was recorded between the 12th and 14th.

Moisture decreased over the country on the 15th as the system moved west of Belize as an open trough. However, outbreaks of showers still continued over the south and coast on the night of the 14th through early morning of the 15th with conditions improving later in the day. By the 16th conditions had become mostly dry over the country. Fair, warm and mostly dry weather prevailed over the area from the 17th through to the 21st of October 2019. A weak tropical wave (the 5th for the month) crossed between the 19th and 20th but this system did not support any significant development of showers and thunderstorms.

The 6th tropical wave for October 2019 was more active when it crossed on the 22nd. As a result, a few showers and thunderstorms affected most areas of the country that day. Moist conditions persisted the following day with showers and thunderstorms affecting most areas. By the 24th moisture had decreased somewhat with showers and thunderstorms becoming isolated.

Relatively dry conditions were noted on the 25th. The approach of the 7th tropical wave for October along with the proximity of a front dipping as far south as northwestern Yucatan between the 26th and 27th resulted in some moisture convergence over the area. This supported a few showers and thunderstorms mainly over northern and inland areas on the afternoon and night of the 26th. Showers redeveloped mainly over the Maya Mountains on the 27th. The tropical wave did not actually crossed until early morning of the 28th. As a result overnight (27th-28th) showers and thunderstorms affected the Toledo district. This activity then became concentrated mainly along the coast on the morning of the 28th spreading to inland areas later in the afternoon.

Conditions became relatively drier over the country on the 29th. However, a few showers still developed across different areas of the country that day. Showers developed once more over the south on the night of the 29th through early morning of the 30th becoming isolated later in the day and affecting mainly northern areas. Showers redeveloped once more over the south that night. The last day of October 2019 started off generally fair, but the approach and passage of the 8th tropical wave later in the day supported a few afternoon showers mainly over central areas.

In summary, a total of eight tropical waves affected the country in October 2019. The strongest wave had an area of low pressure embedded with it and crossed the country around the middle of the month with heavy showers and thunderstorms. This resulted in flooding over some areas in the west and south. Additionally, for the first time in quite a few months, rainfall was above normal for most areas in October 2019. The graph and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of October 2019. 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 for most of the country except for some areas in northern Cayo and western Orange Walk district where rainfall was normal to just slightly below normal. October 2019 was warmer than normal as can be seen from the records of both maximum temperatures and minimum/nighttime temperatures across the stations sampled.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: October 2019 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: October 2019 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, November 2019

National Meteorological Service of Belize

November is the last month of the Atlantic basin hurricane season. For Belize it is a month in which the climate of the country transitions gradually from the rainy season to the cooler transition period between December and January. Therefore, it is a month in which the country is affected from both tropical systems such as tropical waves and possible tropical cyclones as well as frontal systems.

The first day of November 2019 started off relatively moist. A cold front was just north of Yucatan while a tropical wave was over the west/central Caribbean Sea near 80W. Moisture convergence between these features supported a few showers, periods of rain and isolated thunderstorms across the country. Similar conditions persisted the following day. However, low level moisture decreased somewhat on the 3rd. A few showers and thunderstorms persisted over northern and coastal areas that morning but decreased later in the afternoon.

Although conditions continued relatively dry for most areas of the country during the night of the 3rd through early morning of the 4th, a very localized but intense rainfall event occurred over the western Cayo District during the early morning hours of the 4th. Reports from the automatic weather station at Chaa Creek indicated that a total of 137.2 mm of rain fell within a four hour period from 1 am to 5 am during the early morning hours of the 4th. This resulted in flooding in various areas including Benque Viejo, Succotz, San Antonio and Cristo Rey. NHC analysis suggested that a tropical wave may have aided in this activity as one was analyzed mostly to the south of the country around midnight between the 3rd and the 4th. Conditions improved for the remainder of the 4th but a few more showers occurred again during the night into early morning of the 5th.

Moisture decreased further on the 6th and showers were generally isolated in a diurnal pattern that day. NHC's analysis suggests the passage of another tropical wave early that day but this system was not very active. Except for shower activity over the south, south-coast and off shore areas, the 7th continued generally fair for most other areas. A third tropical wave for the month crossed the country late on the 8th producing a few showers mostly over the southern half of the country.

Shower activity was isolated across the country on the 9th and 10th even though a front had dipped south extending across Yucatan/just north of the country by the 10th. The system stalled and dissipated in that general vicinity by the 11th. Showers continued generally isolated.

A slight increase in moisture on the 12th supported a few showers and thunderstorms mostly over southern coastal areas. Shower activity shifted to northern areas the following day with a cold front extending across NW Yucatan and a surface trof extending from Belize northeastward into the NW Caribbean Sea. The fourth tropical wave for the month crossed late on the 14th but did not produce any significant weather except for isolated shower activity in the south that night.

The only cold front for November 2019 crossed late on the 15th. The day was generally fair with only isolated showers but as the front crossed during the night it produced a few light to moderate showers mostly over central areas of the country. The following day (16th) was cool with light isolated showers confined to the Toledo district.

The following four days (17th to 20th) would see cool and mostly dry weather with little to no rainfall as a high pressure ridge dominated in the wake of the cold front.

The ridge shifted eastward by the 21st causing winds to veer more to the east. This influx of maritime moisture along with a weak surface trof along the coast of Belize supported the development of isolated showers and light rain mainly over northern and central areas. Similar conditions persisted the following day. Conditions were generally fair on the 23rd with isolated showers affected mainly the San Pedro area.

On the 24th a few showers affected the South overnight and the Maya Mountains during the afternoon. Elsewhere, conditions continued generally fair. Mainly fair and dry weather continued on the 25th and 26th with very little rainfall except for small isolated showers across the country.

Moisture increased a bit on the 27th with the approach of a tropical wave. This supported a few showers and thunderstorms over offshore and central areas in the late afternoon into nighttime hours. The tropical wave (the fourth for the month) crossed late in the evening/early night of the 27th. Residual moisture from this system supported a few more showers mostly over the Maya Mountains on the 28th. The last two days of November 2019 saw generally fair weather with only isolated showers developing.

In summary, a total of four tropical waves and one cold front affected the country in November 2019. Except for the first wave which helped to produce an intense but very localized rainfall event over the extreme western Cayo district, these waves were rather weak and did not produce significant rainfall. The cold front did not produce intense shower and thunderstorm activity with its passage either. As a result rainfall for the month was well below normal for most areas except over western Cayo where rainfall was near normal due to the singular event mentioned above. The graph and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of November 2019. 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 below normal for most of the country except for some areas in western Cayo where rainfall was near normal. In general, November 2019 was warmer than normal as can be seen from the records of both maximum temperatures and minimum/nighttime temperatures across the stations sampled.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: November 2019 (mm)



Rainfall Observed: November 2019 (% Above/Below Average)

Monthly Weather Summary, December 2019

National Meteorological Service of Belize

December marks the first month of the cool transition period between the rainy season and the dry season for Belize. This transition period typically lasts for about two to three months before the dry season sets in between mid February and early March. December is typically cool over the country with the main rainfall producers being cold fronts, prefrontal troughs and shear lines.

The first day of December 2019 was mainly fair as a light east to northeasterly airflow prevailed over the country then the flow became north to northeasterly on the second day as the first cold front of the month approached later that night. The front stalled and dissipated over the country resulting in light showers and rain mainly over the mountains and southern offshore areas from the 3rd to the 5th.

High pressure influence behind the front supported fair, mild and mostly dry conditions across the country from the 6th to the 10th. A stationary front over the Bay of Campeche induced a light to moderate east to northeasterly flow over the area that supported a few showers and isolated thunderstorms mostly over southern coastal areas on the 11th. A few showers persisted along the south coast and spread to central areas on the 12th and 13th becoming isolated by sunset on the 13th.

Generally fair conditions prevailed from the 14th to 16th as a weak pressure gradient dominated the northwest Caribbean and maintained a light east to northeasterly flow over the country.

A prefrontal trough supported a squall line during the early afternoon of the 17th that generated thunderstorms and showers mainly over northern inland and southern inland areas of the country. The activity continued overnight mainly over the north and west with some showers and rain persisting through to the 18th morning. Skies were overcast on the 18th and light rain affected most of the mainland while thunderstorms and showers remained offshore as the cold front crossed the country.

Cloudy and cool conditions along with a moderate west to northwesterly flow prevailed over the country from the 19th to the 21st after the passage of the front. Light rain affected the mainland and showers occurred offshore. The 22nd started off cloudy with mostly layered clouds that dissipated in the afternoon and a moderate to gusty north to northwesterly airflow prevailed. A few showers and light rain continued to affect northern portions of the country.

Mainly fair, cool and dry conditions persisted over the next few days from the 23rd through to the 25th as the airflow remained gusty and from the north to northwest up to the 24th then became light and northerly on Christmas day. The 26th to the 28th winds were light and variable as a slack pressure gradient dominated the Caribbean basin. A light east to southeasterly airflow and fair conditions prevailed over the country on the 29th. No rainfall occurred during this period.

The 30th of December was generally fair with only isolated showers as a light easterly airflow prevailed over the area while on the last day of the month a few showers affected the mainland especially central areas as another cold front approached the country.

The graphs and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of December 2019. They also give an indication of how these readings compare to the normal for the month. Rainfall was below normal for northern and central inland areas of the country while it was above normal for central coastal and southern areas except for Melinda in the Stann Creek District. Maximum temperatures show above normal maximum/daytime temperatures, except for Savannah where the average maximum temperature for the month was slightly below normal and the Airport where the average maximum for the month was just about normal. Nighttime/minimum temperatures were near normal for most areas.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures

Monthly Weather Summary, January 2020

National Meteorological Service of Belize

January falls within the cool transition period between the rainy season and the dry season for Belize. This transition period typically lasts for about two to three months from December to mid February or early March when the dry season sets in. January is typically cool over the country and can be wet at times. The main rainfall producers during this month are cold fronts, prefrontal troughs and shear lines.

January 2020 started off uncharacteristically fair, warm and mostly dry as a light to moderate East to southeasterly airflow dominated the area. A frontal system reached as far as northern Yucatan then gradually retreated over the Gulf of Mexico by nightfall on the first day of the New Year. Weather conditions remained fair with little or no rainfall from the 2nd to the 3rd.

A moderate to gusty North to northwesterly flow prevailed on the 4th along with layered clouds as a cold front crossed the country. Light rain affected mainly the Belmopan area during the frontal passage. Skies remained cloudy to overcast and winds gusty and from the north to northwest on the 5th with light showers or rain mostly over coastal waters.

Cloudy skies continued to dominate most of the country from the 6th to the 8th with light rain occurring mainly offshore at first then showers and periods of rain affected central areas on the 8th as a gusty East to Northeast flow prevailed due to a surface trough over the western Caribbean Sea. As the trough moved closer to the coast of Central America conditions became even moister and unstable on the 9th resulting in showers and thunderstorms especially over northern and central areas. By the 10th a strong ridge of high pressure dominated the Caribbean basin and a moderate to gusty East-southeasterly airflow prevailed which supported mostly isolated showers across the country.

The strong high pressure ridge continued to dominate over the next few days from the 11th through to 15th and maintained a gusty East to southeast flow on the 11th with only isolated showers developing. From the 12th to the 15th gusty east to northeast winds prevailed and showers affected mostly northern and central areas on the 12th and 13th but spread to most areas on the night of the 13th then affected mainly central and southern coastal areas on the 14th and 15th.

A few showers and periods of rain continued to affect southern and central portions of the country on the 16th as a weak surface trough developed over the western Caribbean Sea. This activity increased overnight especially over the south where some showers and a few thunderstorms developed along with rough seas. Conditions remained moist and unstable on the 17th with shower and thunderstorm activity increasing and spreading to most areas with the heavier showers affecting southern districts. The highest rainfall was recorded in Dangriga where almost an inch and a half of rainfall fell in a six hour period. A few showers continued across the country on the 18th then the activity became isolated during the night and on the 19th.

Moisture and winds started to increase once more over the area on the 20th with the approach of another cold front. This supported the development of a line of moderate showers that moved primarily over northern and central areas of the country overnight. A ridge of high pressure dominated during the next couple of days from the 21st to the 22nd in the wake of the cold front and supported variably cloudy, cool and mostly dry conditions over the country with no significant rainfall.

Generally fair weather with only isolated showers prevailed from the 23rd to the 25th as a light East to northeasterly airflow dominated the area. From the 26th to the 29th conditions remained fair but became even drier as an East to southeasterly airflow prevailed.

The last couple days of the month weather conditions continued mainly fair and mostly dry from the 30th to the 31st with the exception of only isolated showers over the western edge of the Maya Mountains during the night of the 31st.

The graphs and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature for the month of January 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 for most of the country except in the south Stann Creek area and Toledo District where it was near normal. Some northern and coastal areas saw rainfall in excess of 50-70% above normal. Maximum temperatures show above normal maximum/daytime temperatures, except for Savannah where the average maximum temperature for the month was normal. Nighttime/minimum temperatures were warmer than usual for most areas except for Punta Gorda where the average minimum temperature for the month was about 1 degree cooler.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: January 2020 (mm)



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

Monthly Weather Summary, February 2020

National Meteorological Service of Belize

February typically marks the beginning of the dry season for the country. Temperatures normally start increasing as the month is characterized by a warm easterly to southeasterly surface airflow. Whatever limited rainfall that occurs during the month is typically associated with one or two cold fronts, prefrontal trofs, shear lines and low level easterly wind surges.

February 2020 started with the approach and passage of a cold front during the late evening. This front supported showers and isolated thunderstorms over most of the country that resulted in one inch and a half of rainfall at Savannah in southern Stann Creek, over one inch at Hershey on the Hummingbird Highway and half of an inch at Central Farm in the Cayo district. The second day of the month winds remained gusty and from the north to northeast but mainly fair, mild and dry weather prevailed across the country.

Skies were cloudy on the 3rd with mostly layered clouds and small areas of light rain confined to northern and central coastal areas. The 4th started off with brief isolated showers mainly over central and offshore areas that lasted until mid-morning then conditions became fair, warm and dry through to the 6th as a gusty southeasterly flow dominated the area.

Moisture and clouds increased on the 7th as a weak trough ahead of a stationary front over the Yucatan Peninsula induced gusty north to northwest winds over the country. Only isolated showers or light rain occurred along offshore and over central areas during the afternoon then over the Maya Mountains during the night. Mainly fair conditions with only isolated shower activity prevailed over the country from the 8th to the 10th as a moderate sometimes gusty easterly to southeasterly airflow prevailed.

Weather conditions remained warm and mostly dry from the 11th through to the 13th as the easterly to southeasterly flow continued to dominate the country then an east to northeasterly flow developed on the 14th as a pre-frontal trough approached the area. This supported a few showers over southern and coastal areas of the country overnight. This activity continued on the 15th with a few showers mainly southward of Belize City that became isolated by sunset.

Generally fair weather with only isolated showers prevailed from the 16th through most of the 17th as a light to moderate easterly airflow dominated the area then a few showers affected central and some northern areas during the night of the 17th. Isolated showers continued to affect northern districts during the daytime on the 18th then southern districts during the night. On the 19th mainly fair weather prevailed except for a few showers that occurred over the south overnight then only isolated showers developed during the afternoon of the 20th.

Skies became cloudy overnight on the 21st as another cold front approached the country. The proximity of this front supported an increase in moisture and showers that resulted in close to an inch of rainfall at Hershey and Belmopan. Showers and light rain affected northern portions of the country before midnight while the activity occurred over central and southern areas after midnight. The front crossed the country around midnight on the 22nd and was near the southern border by morning. A moderate north to northeasterly airflow along with cloudy and cool conditions prevailed in its wake.

From the 23rd to the 25th conditions remained fair but became sunny and drier as an east to southeasterly airflow replaced the north to north easterlies. The 26th started off generally fair and warm then isolated thunderstorms developed over the Maya Mountains around mid-afternoon and over the northwest later that evening ahead of an approaching cold front. Cloudy conditions along with gusty north to northwesterly winds accompanied showers, isolated thunderstorms and light rain over most areas overnight.

The third cold front for February 2020 crossed the country during the morning of the 27th with overcast skies and very gusty winds that produced rough sea conditions. Rainfall was mostly light and occurred mainly off the coast.

The last two days of February were generally cloudy and cool with not much rainfall except for light rain that occurred over central coastal areas early on the night of the 29th.

The graphs and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of February 2020. They also give an indication of how these readings compare to the normal for the month across the stations sampled. Rainfall was below normal over most of the Orange Walk, Cayo, Belize and Stann Creek districts while over the Toledo district rainfall was near normal. Rainfall was above normal for the Corozal district and south Stann Creek. Maximum/daytime temperatures were warmer than usual while minimum/nighttime temperatures were slightly above normal.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures

Monthly Weather Summary, March 2020

National Meteorological Service of Belize

March is usually a warm, dry and windy month across the country of Belize. A gusty easterly to southeasterly wind normally prevails throughout much of the month supporting warm and fair conditions. Whatever limited rainfall that occurs during the month is typically associated with one or two cold fronts, prefrontal troughs, shear lines and low level easterly wind surges.

March 2020 started off generally fair with only light isolated showers as a moderate Easterly to northeasterly airflow prevailed across the country. The second day of the month skies were mostly cloudy as layered clouds dominated the area but no significant rainfall occurred. From the 3rd throughout the day of the 5th characteristically warm and dry conditions prevailed then moisture started to increase during the night of the 5th as a cold front approached the country.

A cold front crossed the country during the early morning of the 6th and stalled later that day just east of the country. The proximity of the stationary front resulted in an unusually wet National Heroes and Benefactors holiday weekend. Skies became cloudy to overcast with showers and light rain affecting mostly central and southern areas of the country on the 6th, increasing and spreading to inland areas on the 7th.. The frontal boundary continued to support cloudy conditions along with a few showers and periods of light rain from the 8th to the 10th with a gradual decrease in activity by the 10th.

Generally fair conditions resumed over much of the country for the next several days from the 11th to the 20th as either an easterly airflow or an east-northeasterly flow dominated the area. Shower activity was limited during this period except for isolated showers that affected mostly southern areas and to a lesser extent coastal areas.

Weather conditions remained fair from the 21st to the 23rd with no significant rainfall as a light easterly to northeasterly airflow prevailed across the country.

Seasonably warm and dry conditions dominated from the 24th through to the end of the month as the characteristic moderate to gusty east-southeasterly airflow prevailed. Rainfall activity remained sparse.

In summary one cold front crossed the country on March 6th and produced most of the rainfall for the month as its effects lasted up to the 10th.

The graphs and maps below summarize the total rainfall and average maximum and minimum temperature recorded during the month of March 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 below normal over northern districts as well as over some parts of the Cayo district. In the Belize District, rainfall was about 50% below normal and in Belmopan rainfall was slightly below normal. Meanwhile rainfall over the southern part of the country was above normal for March 2020. Maximum/daytime temperatures were warmer than usual for most of the stations sampled except for Savannah where daytime temperatures were slightly cooler than normal. Meanwhile minimum/nighttime temperatures were normal to slightly above normal during March 2020 for all stations except for Punta Gorda where temperatures were a bit cooler than normal.

Monthly Rainfall Summary



Monthly Maximum Temperatures



Monthly Minimum Temperatures



Rainfall Observed: January 2020 (mm)



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