Monthly Weather Summary

NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE OF BELIZE

May is the last month of the ‘Dry Season’ in Belize. The end of May also heralds the start of the ‘Rainy Season’ over the south of Belize. May 2013 in Belize was hot, hazy and dry across the country. Only isolated showers and isolated thunderstorms were observed over the Maya Mountains. This heat extended into the second day, at which time a cold front was approaching the country from the north.

The boundary where the two air masses met resulted in severe weather over the North of Belize. Near mid afternoon, hailstorm was observed over Libertad Village. Later that night mostly the coast continued to be affected by severe weather conditions. Strong winds and heavy showers affected coastal areas from north to south. The Philip Goldson Airport recorded wind speeds up to 65 knots and rainfall amounts of 43.1 millimeters (mm).   Libertad recorded only 10.5mm, while Melinda, Central Farm and Savanah recorded 14.2mm, 16.7mm and 18.0mm respectively.

From the third of May through to the twenty-second, Belize saw hot, hazy and mostly dry conditions. Most of the stations recorded no rainfall. Radar and satellite images showed isolated showers and isolated thunderstorms affecting the Maya Mountains.

From the twenty-second through to the twenty-eight of May, a moist east to northeasterly airflow brought much moisture to the country.   This moisture and at times upper-level support induced much showers and thunderstorms activity around the country. A diurnal pattern was observed with showers affecting coastal areas at night and early morning, then inland areas in the afternoon. A lull in rainfall was observed on the twenty-ninth and thirtieth, but returned on the thirty-first.

Climatologically, maximum temperatures were well within the normal range. Rainfall amounts however, were above the normal range for some key stations and just below for others. For example, Philip Goldson recorded 149.2mm, while the norm is 130.2mm. Libertad recorded 111.1mm, while the norm is 102.3. Savannah recorded 71.3mm, while the norm is 99.2mm. Tower Hill recorded 97.7mm, while the norm is 123.5mm. Belmopan recorded 1053.8mm, while the norm is 92.4mm. Central farm recorded 111.3mm, while the norm is 88.8mm. Lastly, Melinda recorded 58mm and the norm is 138.8mm.

In conclusion, May 2013 saw normal maximum temperatures and rainfall of just above and below normal averages. It can also be said that the rainy season officially began on the twenty-third of May, at the time it was expected to begin and across the country, not only over the south of the country.