There is a tropical wave located due east of Belize tonight. It is currently projected to move up towards Mexico’s Yucatan coastline, but it bears watching because first weather systems don’t always do what they are projected to do; second, it could be upgraded to a storm in the next 48 hours and third, even without hurricane force winds, tropical waves produce heavy rains; that’s what caused the flooding in the south last year. So how concerned should you be? We asked Chief Met Officer Dennis Gonguez for answers this evening.
Dennis Gonguez, Acting Chief Meteorologist
“The forecast models are taking that big blog of convection towards the Yucatan channel and not exactly over Belize.”
Keith Swift,
Because it seems like it is on a beeline to Belize.
Dennis Gonguez,
“The wave is heading in our direction but the thunderstorms are heading
towards the Yucatan Channel. We are forecasting some rain in the north over the weekend so there will be some increase in showers around the country, showers and thunderstorms around the country but more so in the northern sections of the country.”
Keith Swift,
Should we be concerned about flooding?
Dennis Gonguez,
“Not at this time, it doesn’t look like the rains will be that intense that it should cause flooding in the northern sections of the country.”
Keith Swift,
So your beside to people this weekend would be what?
Dennis Gonguez,
“Well we could still go out and enjoy the lobster fest but keep an eye out on the weather just in the event that the wave should slow down and development occurs.”
Keith Swift,
Will this be anywhere close to in terms of the rainfall we got when there was tropical depression 16?
Dennis Gonguez,
“No, no where close to that.”
You can track the Tropical Wave Online.
