Weather

To build a climate-resistant community, on Monday, August 19th, the National Meteorological Service (NMS) of Belize officially inaugurated the Caye Caulker Weather Station under the leadership of the Area Representative, Honorable Andre Perez. This new infrastructure, Automatic Weather Stations, joined the many installed across the country and will enhance the monitoring of weather and climate data for residents on the Cayes. The pivotal project was made possible through US$8 million in funding from the Global Environment Facility via the World Bank. The project is called 'Energy Resilience for Climate Adaptation' and was partly co-financed by the Government of Belize.

The Government of Belize (GOB), through the Ministry of Economic Development (MED), and the Resilient Rural Belize Programme (RRB), with funding from GOB, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), provided weather sensors and equipment to the National Meteorological Service (NMS) of Belize. These tools will assist the AgroMet section in providing real time weather information to rural farmers and households in Belize. The Resilient Rural Belize Programme via Subcomponent 2.3: “Investment in Territorial Climate Resilient Assets,” is financing the upgrade of the Climate Information system at the National Meteorological Service of Belize at a value of US $256,300.00.

After narrowly avoiding Hurricane Beryl, a dangerous and powerful storm that developed on June 28th in the eastern Caribbean, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) in Belize is continuing to hold meetings to better prepare for the ongoing hurricane season. NEMO is reminding Belizeans that the hurricane season is just beginning, and being ready for a major storm should remain a top priority for everyone.

On Friday morning, July 5th, Hurricane Beryl landed as a Category 2 storm over the Mexican Caribbean coast, affecting coastal communities like Tulum and Playa del Carmen. The storm did not affect Belize, where a Tropical Storm Warning was issued for the northern portion of the country, including the Cayes. On Friday morning, the Government of Belize gave the all-clear, and discussions have started to see how they can help our counterparts in the Caribbean, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada, who were devastated by the weather system.

Hurricane Beryl, a potentially devastating force, is expected to reach the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, late on Thursday evening, July 4th, bringing with it tropical storm-force winds. This poses a significant threat to northern Belize, including San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and Caulker. Residents are strongly advised to stay vigilant and make necessary preparations. Voluntary evacuation is recommended, and the deadline for doing so is Wednesday, July 3rd.

As the powerful Hurricane Beryl moves west-northwest across the Caribbean Sea at 22 miles per hour, a tropical storm warning has been issued from...

On Monday afternoon, July 1st, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), along with the Ministry of Disaster Risk Management and the National Meteorological Service of Belize, provided a press briefing on Hurricane Beryl. The powerful Category 4 storm, with 155 miles per hour winds, is hurtling through the southeastern Caribbean. While its current trajectory indicates it will make landfall north of Belize, there is still a high risk that the entire country could be impacted by Beryl’s heavy rain and gusty winds. Therefore, Belizeans are urged to have a plan of action and to follow only official sources regarding the development of the hurricane.

The Office of the Prime Minister, through the National Emergency Management Organization and all other relevant entities, remains vigilant and prepared as regards Hurricane Beryl, a potential threat to Belize in the week ahead.